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Idara Jerome, Uyo Beneficiaries of the Akwa Ibom State Government’s free food distribution programme on Monday appealed for the sustenance of the initiative after over 7,000 vulnerable households in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area received bags of rice and beans, describing the intervention as a lifeline amid prevailing economic hardship. The beneficiaries, drawn from the 10 political wards of the local government through the State Social Register, said the food support would significantly ease the burden on their families and urged the government to continue expanding the programme to reach more vulnerable residents across the state. The distribution, held at the Urue Offong/Oruko Council Secretariat, marked the commencement of the fourth phase of the state’s free food distribution programme, which targets the distribution of 217,000 bags of rice and beans across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom. Some of the beneficiaries, including Affiong Okon, Arit John Udo, Nkoyo Effiong Uso, Mary John Okon and Victor Okon Iyanam, expressed gratitude to the state government for the intervention, saying it came at a time many households were struggling with the rising cost of living. Leading the distribution, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Emem Ibanga, said the programme reflected Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to supporting vulnerable residents through targeted social intervention initiatives. She explained that beneficiaries were selected through the State Social Register to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in the distribution process. According to her, “Beneficiaries were selected through the State Social Register to ensure transparency and accountability, so that support gets to those it is intended for.” The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, disclosed that the current phase of the programme would see 217,000 bags of rice and beans distributed across the state’s 31 local government areas. He said the allocation to each local government had been increased from 5,000 to 7,000 bags to enable more vulnerable households benefit from the intervention. Also present at the exercise was the General Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim, who monitored the distribution alongside other government officials. Chairman of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. Uno Etim Uno, described the exercise as a timely intervention and commended the state government for sustaining the programme despite prevailing economic challenges. Stakeholders from neighbouring Okobo Local Government Area, who observed the exercise, also lauded the orderly conduct of the distribution and the transparent process adopted in identifying beneficiaries. The fourth phase of the free food distribution programme is expected to continue in other local government areas as the Akwa Ibom State Government expands the intervention to provide relief for vulnerable households across the state.

Idara Jerome, Uyo The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the lists of candidates and their personal particulars for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections. The commission made the announcement of the extension in a press release posted on its official X account on Sunday, 12 July. According to INEC, the submission period, which commenced on 11 July 2026, has been extended until midnight on Tuesday, 14 July, 2026. “The deadline for the submission in the revised timetable and schedule of activities, for the 2027 General Election being Saturday 11th July 2026 has been extended to midnight on Tuesday 14th July, 2026.” INEC explained that the decision for the deadline extension followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council on behalf of political parties that were unable to upload the names and particulars of their candidates within the stipulated timeframe. In the statement, the Commission said “The extension underscores the commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices, while acting within the ambit of the law.” INEC urged political parties to make good use of the additional time and ensure that all required details are duly uploaded before the new deadline expires. “The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline.”

Stephanie Peter, Uyo What began as an ordinary night for residents of Hall 6, the female hostel at the University of Uyo, ended in distress when a heavy downpour in the early hours of Monday left several rooms submerged in floodwater. At about 4:30 a.m., students who had gone to bed expecting a peaceful night’s sleep woke to a shocking sight. Water had poured through leaking roofs and ceilings, flooding their rooms and sending shoes, clothes, books, bags and electrical appliances floating across the floor. Within minutes, the hostel had become almost uninhabitable. For many of the affected students, the experience was more than an inconvenience. It was a traumatic reminder of the poor state of facilities in one of Nigeria’s public universities. Some watched helplessly as personal belongings they had struggled to acquire were soaked beyond repair, while others spent the early hours of the morning trying to salvage whatever they could. The flooding, students said, followed a heavy rainfall that exposed longstanding structural defects in the hostel. With the rainy season at its peak and showers falling almost daily, they fear the incident could recur unless urgent repairs are carried out. Sadly, this is not an isolated concern. Residents say they have long endured inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, faulty facilities and occasional pest infestations, conditions that continue to diminish the quality of campus life and leave many questioning the value of living in university accommodation. Students pay about ₦20,000 per academic session for hostel accommodation, while some reportedly spend much more to secure bed spaces through unofficial means because of limited availability. In return, they expect a safe and decent place to live. Instead, many say they have had to contend with insecurity, deteriorating infrastructure and poor maintenance. The flooding in Hall 6 is more than a story about damaged property. It raises important questions about student welfare and the responsibility of higher institutions to provide accommodation that is safe, habitable and fit for learning. As universities strive for academic excellence, the welfare of the students who occupy these facilities should receive equal attention. For the young women who woke up ankle-deep in floodwater on Monday morning, the hope is that this incident will serve as a wake-up call—one that prompts swift action to prevent future occurrences and restore confidence in campus accommodation.

Idara Jerome, Uyo The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka has given reasons for the party’s substitution of some candidates after its primaries, saying that no aspirant who did not participate in the primary process was declared a winner. He said this on Tuesday during an interview on ARISE NEWS, addressing allegations that the APC handed tickets to individuals who did not participate in the primaries. He acknowledged that some aspirants were dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries but said the party received more than 720 petitions from aspirants. He explained that the petitions were reviewed by the appeal committees, and the substitutions followed their recommendations after a further review by the National Working Committee. He added that the party carefully reviewed every petition before reaching its decision. “We received over 720 petitions from those who contested in that election. These petitions were reviewed by the appeal committees. Recommendations were made to the National Working Committee. But the National Working Committee of our party, in its wisdom, also took responsibility to review the reports of the appeal committees and to re-evaluate those cases. “And at the end of them, we made those changes that you are discussing. So these are the legitimate outcomes of our primaries,” he said. Responding to claims that the party violated the Electoral Act by substituting candidates after the primaries, Morka said the primary election was a “process” and not an “event,” explaining that “the appeal process is an integral part of the primary election process and not a separate process.” He also said the party had begun engaging dissatisfied aspirants to show them that the process was transparent and not driven by personal interests. “What we said to them is that everyone cannot be the flag bearer. Our engagements are already on to reach individuals like this, to reassure them that this is not personal. Nothing has been done that is arbitrary. Nobody has just been favoured with tickets,” he added. On claims that the APC awarded tickets to individuals who did not purchase nomination forms and never participated in the primaries, Morka said he was not aware of any such case. “I’m not aware of any such case that you are alluding to. Those who didn’t participate, who never bought forms, who were not screened, who didn’t participate in the primaries, all of a sudden had tickets. “Look, I’m not aware. If you have any such examples, please mention them and I will go back and do my own investigation,” Morka said. Speaking on claims that the APC was afraid of the outcome of the 2027 election, Morka dismissed the claim, insisting the party remained confident ahead of the 2027 election. “All the elections conducted in this country since the 2023 general elections, we have won them, including the most recent elections, which we won massively, bigly, to use the words of Donald Trump. “We are working hard to win the next election, just as we’ve won all the by-elections. The idea that we are afraid is utterly ridiculous. We are working hard to win the next election.”

Stephanie Peter, Uyo The United States has withdrawn most of its forces deployed for a joint counterterrorism operation in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin following the killing of a senior deputy leader of the Islamic State (ISIS). Despite the withdrawal, the U.S. has pledged to continue supporting Nigeria through intelligence sharing and other forms of security cooperation. This was disclosed by the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa, Gen. James B. Hecker, during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026. He highlighted the role of U.S.-Nigeria intelligence cooperation in counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh). Gen. Hecker explained that although the specific military operation has concluded and most U.S. personnel have departed Nigeria, the U.S. government remains committed to supporting the country through intelligence collaboration whenever requested by the Nigerian government. He noted that the intelligence partnership has not only strengthened security efforts in the Lake Chad Basin but has also contributed to disrupting ISIS operations beyond the region. The general described Nigeria as a capable security partner with a strong military, saying that the combination of Nigerian operational capabilities and U.S. intelligence support led to the successful operation against the ISIS deputy leader. He added that the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence cooperation rather than prolonged foreign military deployments. He also called for stronger intelligence sharing and closer security partnerships among African countries, noting that such collaboration recently helped intercept a 31-tonne shipment of cocaine originating from South America and transiting through the West African coast.

Stephanie Peter, Uyo President Bola Tinubu has approved major reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, announcing that corps members will now be posted to states based on security risk assessments rather than the existing nationwide deployment system. The reform is a response to the country’s current security challenges and is aimed at reducing the risks associated with posting corps members to unfamiliar areas with heightened security concerns. Under the new policy, corps members will no longer be posted indiscriminately to states facing serious security threats. Instead, postings will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within a state, and those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zone. President Tinubu said the decision is intended to protect corps members while preserving the NYSC’s core objective of promoting national unity. According to him, the prevailing security situation in the country requires a more flexible and pragmatic deployment system. Other proposed reforms include extending the NYSC orientation course from three weeks to six weeks, replacing the military Director-General with a civilian appointee, and expanding training in entrepreneurship, leadership, civic responsibility, and job creation. The President said the reforms are designed to modernise the scheme, enhance the safety of corps members, and better prepare young graduates for life after national service. He has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act to provide the necessary legal backing for the implementation of the reforms.

Idara Jerome, Uyo The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has called on the OML 13 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) to translate the recommendations of its newly unveiled Needs Assessment Report into practical projects that will serve as a catalyst for sustainable development across its host communities in Akwa Ibom State. The Commission made the call on Friday in Uyo during the formal presentation of the comprehensive Needs Assessment Report, describing the document as an evidence-based roadmap for delivering meaningful development in the eleven host local government areas covered by the Trust. Representing the NUPRC, Adeniji Titilayo said the report marks a major milestone in implementing the Host Community provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), as it provides a credible framework for identifying and prioritizing development interventions based on the actual needs of residents. She urged the Board of Trustees and management of the Trust to ensure that the report does not remain a mere document but is translated into measurable projects capable of improving the quality of life of people in the affected communities. Titilayo stressed that transparency, accountability, continuous stakeholder engagement and effective monitoring would be critical to the successful implementation of the report’s recommendations. According to her, the objective of the PIA is to promote sustainable prosperity, social inclusion and peaceful coexistence between petroleum operators and their host communities, adding that the comprehensive assessment demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that development projects are community-driven and responsive to local realities. She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to providing regulatory oversight and support to ensure compliance with the provisions of the PIA, assuring stakeholders that the NUPRC would continue to monitor the activities of the Trust and operators to guarantee that host communities derive the intended social and economic benefits under the law. Titilayo expressed optimism that the report would strengthen community relations, accelerate development and promote sustainable growth across the OML 13 host communities while encouraging all stakeholders to sustain the collaborative spirit that produced the document. The report was jointly commissioned by NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Sumedha Energy Limited (SEL), operators of OML 13, as part of efforts to align community development investments with the actual needs and priorities of residents. Presenting the report, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the OML 13 HCDT, Barr. Ekpris Urujzian, described the document as a critical roadmap that captures the aspirations, challenges and development priorities identified by host communities and will guide sustainable interventions in the years ahead. Providing a technical overview, Engr. Festus Sunday, a member of the Trust, disclosed that the 624-page report covers eleven host local government areas and identifies priority areas including healthcare, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure, human capital development, youth empowerment, livelihood support and environmental sustainability. He explained that the report was produced through extensive consultations with community members and stakeholders to ensure that its recommendations accurately reflect the realities and aspirations of the people. Also speaking, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer of NEPL for OML 13, Auwal Ya’u, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the objectives of the Host Communities Development Trust and assured stakeholders that NEPL would meet the required timelines to facilitate the release of funds for implementing approved projects. Similarly, Community Security Manager, Susan Bassey, described the presentation of the report as the culmination of months of collaborative effort by stakeholders, expressing confidence that its implementation would usher in a new phase of sustainable development across the host communities. The needs assessment covers the eleven host local government areas of Eastern Obolo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno, Etinan, Oruk Anam, Nsit Ubium and Urue-Offong/Oruko. Among its recommendations are investments in critical infrastructure, improved healthcare and education, expanded access to clean water and sanitation, youth development and entrepreneurship, environmentally sustainable projects, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems.

Idara Jerome, Uyo Akwa Ibom State government on Thursday took Journalists on a tour to access and inspect the recently acquired fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. The assessment tour, held at Government House, Uyo, was organised following a request by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, to inspect the buses after their arrival in the state. Leading the exercise, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the government considered it important to allow independent verification of the project by the media to ensure that members of the public receive accurate information. He dismissed claims that the buses were refurbished, insisting that they were brand-new, factory-built vehicles manufactured specifically for Akwa Ibom at the Isuzu production facility in Turkey. “The buses are brand-new factory-built vehicles. We have complete documentation covering their production and factory inspection. We invited the media so the public can receive verified information instead of speculation,” Umanah said. He disclosed that Governor Umo Eno approved the acquisition of 50 CNG buses, with the first batch of 20 already delivered, while the remaining 30 are expected to arrive in July and August. According to the commissioner, the initiative goes beyond the acquisition of buses and includes the construction of a central transport terminal in Uyo, bus stations in the 31 local government areas, maintenance workshops, driver training facilities and CNG refuelling stations to support a modern mass transit system. Also speaking, Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Anthony Luke, said he personally witnessed the production and quality inspection of the buses during a visit to the Isuzu manufacturing plant in Turkey. “I witnessed the production process and quality inspections myself. These are genuine, brand-new buses manufactured specifically for Akwa Ibom State,” Luke said. Providing technical clarification, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project Limited, Mr. Alexandro Selefteriadis, explained that the buses were built from the factory to run on Cummins CNG engines and were not diesel-powered vehicles later converted to gas. He added that the transport system is designed to connect all 31 local government areas, major commercial centres and the Victor Attah International Airport through an integrated network supported by modern operational infrastructure. The journalists later inspected the buses, engaged project consultants on their specifications and procurement process, and embarked on a demonstration ride. Chairman of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, described the assessment tour as a commendable step towards transparency, saying it would enable journalists to provide accurate and balanced reports on the project.

Idongesit Mishael, Uyo Akwa Ibom State has received a $6.2 million reward from the World Bank after emerging as one of the top-performing states in Nigeria in transparency, prudent financial management and governance reforms. The performance-based grant, worth $6,206,745.42, was earned under the World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme following the state’s performance in the 2024 assessment. Governor Umo Eno announced the award on Wednesday during the July edition of the Monthly Covenant Service at Government House, Uyo, describing it as an independent endorsement of the reforms introduced by his administration to strengthen accountability and improve governance. He said the recognition was not merely about the financial reward but an indication that Akwa Ibom’s efforts to manage public resources responsibly and build stronger public institutions are being acknowledged beyond the state. “This reward confirms that transparency, accountability and prudent management of public funds remain the right path for sustainable development,” the governor said. The latest recognition comes only weeks after Akwa Ibom was ranked among Nigeria’s best-performing states in the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) Governance Performance Index, reinforcing its growing reputation for institutional reforms. Development experts say awards of this nature are significant because they are based on measurable governance indicators and often influence how development partners, investors and international financial institutions assess states seeking support or investment. Governor Eno said his administration would continue to prioritise reforms that improve public service delivery, strengthen government institutions and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He noted that the state has also recorded progress in other sectors, including transportation and aviation, with Ibom Air resuming scheduled international flights between Uyo and Accra. The governor further disclosed that the first batch of 20 of the 50 newly acquired Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses has arrived in the state as part of efforts to build a modern and affordable public transport system. He also reaffirmed plans to establish Youth Development Centres in all 31 local government areas to bring skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes closer to young people.