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Idara Jerome, Uyo A final-year Mathematics Education student of the University of Uyo, Mfoniso Solomon, has said the 2026 Akwa Ibom Career Clinic 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 said she had struggled with limited confidence and a lack of mentorship since beginning her journey into the technology world, but the clinic helped her understand that there were several opportunities available beyond the conventional career paths. According to her, the exposure to artificial intelligence and emerging opportunities in the digital economy had strengthened her determination to continue building relevant skills and exploring new career possibilities. Solomon added that she would also explore the Akwa Ibom Employment Portal and other available platforms for career opportunities, saying the lessons from the clinic had given her a clearer understanding of the need to deliberately prepare for the future of work. Similarly, Richard Pedro, a Geo-Informatics student of the University of Uyo, said the clinic had helped him understand the importance of developing a strong curriculum vitae, building digital skills and preparing for the changing demands of the workplace. Pedro said the programme had made him realise that the transition from analogue systems to digital platforms required young people to constantly update their knowledge and acquire skills that would remain relevant in a rapidly changing employment environment. He said the practical lessons from the clinic would help him approach interviews with greater confidence and develop greater consistency in his personal and professional growth. Pedro also encouraged other young people to take advantage of Jobberman’s online learning opportunities and other platforms that could help them acquire relevant skills, build their capacity and improve their chances of securing decent employment. The experiences of the two participants reflected the broader objective of the career clinic, which sought to prepare young Nigerians for emerging opportunities and the demands of an evolving world of work. Earlier, the Country Head, Programmes, Jobberman, Mr Olamide Adeyeye, said the partnership between Jobberman and the Mastercard Foundation, which began in 2020, was designed to help young people secure decent work they could be proud of while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development. Adeyeye challenged the participants to deliberately build relevant skills, strengthen their character and take responsibility for creating their future rather than waiting passively for opportunities. He introduced the participants to the “ABC” approach to career advancement – Audit, Build and Consolidate – urging them to audit their skills and mindset, build relevant competencies and relationships, and consolidate their progress through collaboration and effective communication. “Every young person is valuable to this country. Jobberman is interested in the future of young people in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria, and we want to help them get work they can be proud of and through which they can contribute positively to society,” he said. Delivering the keynote address, titled, “Blueprint for Success: Building Skills for the Future of Work,” Monica Inyang challenged the participants to take deliberate responsibility for their future, declaring: “Your future is not waiting for you; you create it.” Inyang urged the youths to identify the problems they could solve, build relevant skills and embrace lifelong learning through workshops, books, online courses, internships and practical projects, stressing that confidence was developed through action rather than waiting to feel ready. She warned them against allowing rejection, failure, limited resources or social media comparisons to define their future, urging them to audit their strengths, identify areas for improvement and consistently add value to themselves. The keynote speaker further advised the youths to develop creativity, leadership, innovation and empathy alongside technical and digital competencies, noting that while skills could open doors, character, reliability, honesty, punctuality and teachability were essential to keeping those doors open. Representing the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, the Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, Hon. Ikoedem Ekong, said the career clinic aligned with the administration’s ARISE Agenda and its commitment to equipping young people with digital, vocational and entrepreneurial skills. Ekong said the state had introduced initiatives including ARISE ICT, ARISE Youth Centres across the 31 local government areas and the Akwa Ibom Employment Portal to expand access to skills development and employment opportunities. He added that the government was also working to ensure that companies operating in the state complied with local content provisions on employment quotas, stressing that the administration remained determined to tackle unemployment by preparing young people for the demands of the changing employment market. The career clinic provided practical guidance on CV writing, interview performance, workplace readiness, professional confidence, digital skills and understanding the expectations of modern employers, alongside counselling, networking and interactive sessions. The programme was organised by Jobberman in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation as part of efforts to prepare young Nigerians for decent work and the demands of an evolving employment landscape, with participants receiving career guidance, skills development, networking opportunities and practical exposure to emerging opportunities in the digital economy and future of work.

Idara Jerome, Uyo A civil society organisation, Open Forum, has challenged the Akwa Ibom State Government to publicly disclose the exact nature and financial obligations attached to the $6.2 million received under the World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme. The group, in a letter to Governor Umo Eno dated July 7, 2026, said the demand became necessary following the governor’s description of the funds as a “reward for accountability, transparency and good governance,” insisting that available public documents suggested the programme could involve a concessional loan rather than an outright grant. Open Forum, led by its Founder and President, Citizen Matthew Koffi Okono, urged the governor to direct the Commissioners for Finance and Economic Development to provide a detailed memorandum explaining the exact nature of the funds, repayment terms, charges and their implications for the state’s debt profile. “Your Excellency, the impression conveyed that the $6.2 billion facility is a grant to the State appears at variance with available facts in the public domain,” the organisation said, stressing the need for an official clarification to prevent public misunderstanding. According to the group, SABER is a $750 million World Bank-assisted programme designed to improve the business environment, economic governance and land administration across Nigeria, with funds disbursed to states based on the achievement of agreed performance indicators. It alleged that the programme was structured as a highly concessional financing arrangement, with states potentially required to repay funds accessed through subsidiary loan agreements, adding that the public should therefore be told whether Akwa Ibom’s $6.2 million was a grant, loan or part of a hybrid arrangement. Open Forum also urged the state government to disclose the specific performance indicators that qualified Akwa Ibom for the funds, while calling for a comprehensive review of other World Bank-supported programmes, including HOPE-Gov and SFTAS, which it said contain opportunities for states to access funding based on governance and accountability reforms. The organisation further revisited the controversy over a reported N1.204 billion domestic loan drawdown contained in the state’s 2023 third-quarter budget performance report, recalling that Governor Eno had previously denied taking any loan since assuming office. Quoting the governor, the group said: “They talked about borrowing, I challenged them to show me one piece of document that I have signed to borrow one Naira since I became governor. I have not borrowed money and I don’t intend to borrow money until I present the budget.” It said the unresolved dispute over whether the reported N1.204 billion facility was a new borrowing by the Eno administration or an inherited financial obligation processed during the period covered by the report made accurate public communication on the SABER funds even more important. Open Forum, while commending the governor’s reported efforts to settle inherited debts and pension liabilities, said transparency over the World Bank funds would further strengthen public confidence in his administration and prevent future disputes over the state’s actual financial obligations. “Accurate communication about public finance is itself an act of good governance,” the organisation said, urging the governor to make the requested clarification public through a press release or briefing and to provide citizens, the House of Assembly and development partners with a clear account of the funds.

Idara Jerome, Uyo Young farmers and members of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) have called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to subsidise organic farm inputs and equipment, drawing attention to rising production costs, flooding, poor rural roads and other challenges affecting agricultural productivity. The farmers made the call on Thursday, during an advocacy visit to the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture in Uyo. The group had sought an engagement with the Commissioner for Agriculture, but the engagement did not hold because the commissioner was unavailable. Speaking with journalists, the Team Lead of Steps to Sustainable Transformation and Empowerment Foundation and Contact Person for the Agroecology and Food Transformation Systems Alliance (AFTA), Enomfon-Abasi Harry, said the alliance was created to strengthen the voice of local farmers and foster direct engagement with government. “We are here this morning to seek an engagement with the Commissioner for Agriculture. We are here with women from SWOFON, youth groups and other young farmers as well to demand subsidy on organic farm materials. Why this alliance started was because we saw the need of farmers, local farmers to be exact and we decided that we should take this to the ministry because they themselves, they might not want to speak up, they might not want to say anything so that it won’t be that they have talked or whatsoever and nothing has happened,” he said According to Harry, farmers have continued to face severe challenges, including flooding caused by recent rain, high cost of organic farm inputs and the high cost of hiring farm equipment which smallholder farmers cannot afford. He noted that renting a tractor for a day may cost between N130,000 and N150,000. “They are really going through a lot of things in their farms because of the recent rain, floods and everything, the floods have destroyed their farms and because of the high increase in organic materials, they have not been able to get any organic things they want to use for their farms and also getting equipment as well for their farms is a bit expensive as well. If a farmer wants to get, let me say, a tractor to be used on the farm, to rent a tractor for a day is about a 130,000, 150,000 Naira, a local farmer will not have that much amount of money to be able to get a tractor to be used on the farm.” he added. Harry appealed to the state government to subsidise organic farm materials and equipment to make them more affordable and accessible to local farmers. He expressed disappointment that the planned engagement with the commissioner did not hold, despite a letter submitted ahead of the visit, adding that the alliance would seek another appointment to enable farmers present their concerns directly to the ministry. Also speaking, SWOFON member Joy Kelly highlighted several challenges confronting small-scale women farmers across the state, including poor access roads to farming communities, post-harvest losses, lack of produce off-takers, crop theft, insecurity, flooding and the high cost of farm inputs. “Some of those interior parts of the local governments or communities, they lack quality routes, accessible routes to carry their produce from the farm down to the market, Some, the distance is also far and then some of them, they have this issue of post-harvest loss, that is after the harvest, that is the issue of off-takers, there are no off-takers to take over their products. So some of them get into spoilage, and then some of them are being destroyed by pesticides, they have issues of pesticides, another one is crop theft, you know, when you have a big farm, you farm, you plant, and by the time you get there, it is either everything has been harvested before you or you find some strange people that you cannot even have the courage to go into the farm and then this insecurity is also part of the problem but their major problem is the issue of farm inputs.” she said. Kelly urged the government to fix rural roads, support market linkages for farm produce and provide affordable farming equipment designed for women. She stressed that continuous training for farmers is equally important, noting that many women in rural communities have limited access to modern agricultural knowledge and techniques because of transportation costs and distance from urban centres. Kelly further appealed to the government to visit farming communities and better understand the realities faced by smallholder farmers and youths engaged in agriculture. Although the planned engagement with the commissioner did not take place, the advocacy visit continued with an orientation session on sustainable farming at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Uyo. Project Lead of Horganicks Nigeria, Ediomo Oscar, said the organisation is promoting a transition from conventional farming practices to organic agriculture through an e-commerce platform that connects organic producers with buyers. Oscar explained that the initiative also supports farmers by providing access to organic seeds, pesticides and other production materials while helping them overcome challenges associated with adopting organic farming practices. He said the programme is aimed at building a network of farmers and young people committed to producing healthier food, protecting the environment and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.  

Idara Jerome, Uyo Barely a week after devastating floods displaced residents in parts of Akwa Ibom State and were alleged to have claimed lives, Governor Umo Eno has unveiled a new flood and drainage master plan to forestall such flooding in future. Governor Eno has also ordered the demolition of buildings obstructing natural waterways across the state. The Governor also announced the establishment of the Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade, stricter enforcement of monthly environmental sanitation, and the creation of Environmental Sanitation Courts to prosecute violators of environmental regulations. Eno who disclosed the measures while speaking to journalists in Uyo on Thursday, described effective flood control as a shared responsibility between government and residents. The Governor said the state’s existing flood management blueprint had become obsolete due to rapid urbanisation and expanding infrastructure, necessitating the development of a new master plan to address the state’s evolving environmental challenges. He said he had directed the Commissioner for Environment to immediately assemble environmental experts, engineers and other relevant stakeholders to develop a modern flood and drainage master plan that would guide infrastructure development, drainage construction and flood mitigation across the state. “We need to have a state flood and drainage master plan. The one we have is old. There are new developments that have taken place. We are bringing all our experts together and will develop the state flood master plan so that we can use it,” the Governor said. As part of the renewed flood-control strategy, Eno announced the establishment of the Clean Akwa Ibom Brigade, a specialised unit under the Ministry of Environment dedicated to keeping drainage channels free of obstructions and supporting flood-prevention efforts. He explained that the brigade would complement existing environmental agencies by focusing specifically on drainage maintenance and flood control, noting that the task required a different operational approach from routine waste collection. The Governor also issued a stern warning against illegal developments, declaring that any structure found obstructing designated drainage routes would be demolished, irrespective of the ownership, status or previous approvals attached to such buildings. He said the government would no longer tolerate developments that block natural waterways, endanger lives and property or worsen flooding in surrounding communities. To strengthen enforcement, Eno directed the Ministry of Environment, the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency and the Office of the Attorney-General to establish Environmental Sanitation Courts for the prosecution of offenders who violate sanitation regulations. Rather than relying solely on monetary penalties, the Governor said the courts would impose community service on offenders, requiring them to participate in environmental clean-up activities, particularly the clearing of blocked drainage channels. Eno further announced stricter enforcement of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, directing that movement would be restricted across the state on the last Saturday of every month between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. He warned that ceremonies, commercial activities and arriving travellers would not be exempted from the restriction until the sanitation exercise had been concluded. The Governor said while his administration would continue to invest in drainage infrastructure and flood management, residents must also take greater responsibility for their environment by properly disposing of waste, keeping drainage channels clear and complying with sanitation regulations. “We will do our part, but we also expect all of us as citizens to do our own part too… so that we can solve some of these problems,” he said. The new measures, according to the Governor, form part of his administration’s broader efforts to protect lives, safeguard public infrastructure and build a cleaner, safer and more environmentally sustainable Akwa Ibom State. Meanwhile, Eno expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work at the Judiciary Staff Quarters project, criticising what he described as the laxity and nonchalant attitude of the contractors handling the project. He said it was unacceptable for project sites to be deserted by contractors and workers during official working hours, stressing that his administration would not tolerate delays in the execution of projects meant to serve the people.

Idara Jerome, Uyo The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has commenced the sixth batch of its nationwide compliance exercise aimed at striking off 100,000 companies from the register for failing to comply with statutory filing requirements. In a public notice issued on Wednesday, 15 July, the Commission said the exercise is being carried out pursuant to Section 692(3) and (4) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020. According to the notice, the affected companies were identified for failing to file annual returns and meet other statutory obligations. The Commission advised them to regularise their records by filing all outstanding annual returns as well as Persons with Significant Control (PSC), also known as Beneficial Ownership information, within 90 days from the date of the notice. “The affected companies are hereby advised to take steps to file all outstanding Annual Returns and by extension Persons with Significant Control/Beneficial Ownership information and regularize their records within ninety (90) days of this notice.” the notice stated. The CAC said evidence of compliance should be sent to its designated email address, struckoffcompanies@cac.gov.ng, warning that companies which fail to comply within the stipulated period will be struck off the register without further notice. It added that the complete list of the affected 100,000 companies has been published on its official website for public access. “The list of the affected One Hundred Thousand (100,000) companies can be accessed at the Commission’s Website, www.cac.gov.ng,” the notice added. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to providing prompt and efficient registration and regulatory services for the satisfaction of its customers.

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.