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Idara Jerome Chairman of the maiden Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Leadership Summit, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke has urged media leaders to shun the pursuit of personal glory and instead build institutions and future leaders, declaring that the true measure of leadership is not the fame it attracts but the generations it inspires. Addressing journalists and union leaders at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, during the summit marking the first anniversary of the administration of Akwa Ibom State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Nsibiet John, Luke said enduring leadership is rooted in values, empathy, integrity and sound judgment, not popularity or public applause. “Don’t be in a race to build a name. Work as if you’re building a generation. Today, there are places leaders built that are celebrated not because of their names are on buildings, but because of how they worked and how they made other people feel,” Luke said. He urged journalists to cultivate emotional intelligence and resist making decisions driven by emotion, ego, social pressure or resistance to change, stressing that effective leadership requires careful analysis, facts and principled judgment.

The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology, pay compensation and pursue reconciliation over his assassination during the July 1966 counter-coup. Punch reports that the call was made by Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, a nephew of the late military leader and head of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, during an interview on Arise News on Thursday. “I think the family needs an apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need a sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi became Nigeria’s first military Head of State on January 16, 1966, following the January 15 military coup that claimed the lives of several political leaders. He survived the coup and moved to restore order before assuming leadership. During his administration, he introduced Decree No. 34, which sought to replace Nigeria’s federal structure with a unitary system, a move that drew criticism and heightened political tensions. On July 29, 1966, Aguiyi-Ironsi was assassinated alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, during the counter-coup carried out by northern soldiers, bringing his brief administration to an end. Speaking on his uncle’s legacy, Imo described Aguiyi-Ironsi as “a man of vision,” “a detribalised Nigerian” and “a good leader.” He said his uncle’s six-month tenure as Head of State ended not because of any wrongdoing on his part, but because he was not involved in the January 1966 coup. “He occupied the seat of Head of State for only six months, and he was taken away from us. “Not because of a sin committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup,” he said. Imo maintained that Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death was the result of his position as the country’s most senior military officer rather than any wrongdoing on his part. “Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life. “Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening tonight,” he said. The family’s appeal comes nearly six decades after Aguiyi-Ironsi’s assassination as they continue to seek an official apology, compensation and reconciliation over what they describe as a long-standing historical injustice.

Idara Jerome, Uyo Concerned by the growing rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce in international markets, the Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled a fresh strategy aimed at helping farmers and exporters meet global standards and earn more from non-oil exports. To drive the initiative, the government inaugurated an Inter-ministerial Committee on the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), saying the move would strengthen the country’s biosecurity system, improve the quality of agricultural exports and open wider access to regional and global markets. Representing the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, Permanent Secretary Dr Deborah Odoh said, “Nigeria can no longer afford the losses associated with the rejection of agricultural exports due to non-compliance with international standards.” Comptroller-General of NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, said Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential can only be fully harnessed if institutions responsible for agriculture, trade, customs, transport, research and border security work in synergy. He noted that a stronger quarantine system would reduce export rejections, boost foreign exchange earnings and create greater opportunities for farmers, exporters and agribusinesses. “Strengthening the nation’s agricultural quarantine system will reduce the rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports, improve foreign exchange earnings and enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable exporter of safe agricultural products,” he said. The committee, comprising representatives of key ministries, regulatory agencies, farmers’ associations and research institutions, is expected to recommend measures to strengthen the operational capacity of NAQS, improve laboratory and inspection facilities, develop sustainable funding mechanisms and ensure compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

Idara Jerome, Uyo Parents and guardians in Akwa Ibom State have been advised to enrol their children and wards only in government-approved schools as the state government moves to clamp down on the proliferation of unapproved and unauthorised private schools. The Ministry of Education said the measure was aimed at protecting children from receiving education in substandard environments and ensuring compliance with approved standards across schools operating in the state. In a statement, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Essien Umoh, made available to newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, the ministry urged parents to verify the approval status of schools before enrolling their children, noting that the list of authorised schools was available at the ministry for public reference. The commissioner disclosed that all schools operating without approval from the Ministry of Education had been given until August 31, 2026, to regularise their operations or face sanctions. He warned that from September 1, 2026, any unauthorised school that fails to comply with the directive would be closed down, sealed and prosecuted in line with relevant laws. Umoh said the development was part of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which prioritises quality education and the creation of a safe and standard learning environment for children in the state. “All schools operating without approval from the Ministry of Education are given up to 31st August, 2026 to regularise their operations,” he stated. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to sanitising the education sector and ensuring that only schools that meet required regulatory standards are allowed to operate in Akwa Ibom State.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has signed 14 Executive Bills into law describing it as another major step towards strengthening governance, institutionalising reforms and expanding the gains of the ARISE Agenda. The Governor who assented to the Bills on Tuesday July 28, 2026 at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo, said the laws will provide long-needed legal backing for strategic institutions, close policy gaps and ensure continuity of programmes designed to improve the welfare of the people. “These bills, fourteen in all, spanning all critical sectors, will help expand the gains of our ARISE Agenda, provide the legal backing to fill existing gaps with concrete actions and deepen our growth and development so we may spread more dividends of democracy across our society.” Among the new laws are those establishing the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA – GIS) to modernise land administration and simplify land verification, acquisition and transfer processes; the Senior Citizens Centre, to institutionalise welfare programmes for the elderly; the Hotels and Tourism Development Commission, to regulate standards and drive tourism development; and the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, to strengthen public broadcasting and position the new station for commercial operations. Other legislations establish the Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems Agency, the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, the Fiscal Responsibility Board, the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of the Public Defender, the Water Users Association and the University of Education, Afaha Nsit. Governor Eno also assented to amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, decentralising hospital administration into zonal management boards and providing for district hospitals to improve efficiency in healthcare delivery. The Governor disclosed plans to redeploy medical doctors serving in administrative roles back into clinical practice, noting that prolonged absence from medical practice could adversely affect service delivery and patient safety. He explained that the law establishing the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency would consolidate transparency and accountability, stressing that adherence to procurement regulations had significantly contributed to the success of his administration. On the establishment of the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, Governor Eno clarified that the legislation was intended to regulate operators, protect residents from fraudulent activities and ensure compliance with the law. “This is a regulatory agency. As a pastor, I believe in law and order. I do not encourage betting, but where it exists, it must be properly regulated.” The Governor further announced that an Environmental Sanitation Bill would soon be transmitted to the State House of Assembly to strengthen environmental enforcement. He said under the proposed legislation, government would be empowered to clean neglected premises, recover the cost from property owners and seal affected premises where necessary. He noted that Akwa Ibom people have long been recognised for cleanliness and expressed confidence that stronger legislation would help preserve the reputation while supporting the work of the Ministry of Environment and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency. Governor Eno also revealed that additional health sector reform bills would soon be forwarded to the Assembly as part of ongoing efforts to reposition healthcare delivery in the State. He commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, members of the Assembly and the Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, for what he described as exemplary cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government. Earlier, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, described the package of legislation as one of the most significant in the history of the 8th Assembly, noting that never before had the House considered and passed such a large number of executive bills within a short period. He said the bills are people-oriented and would positively impact governance, healthcare, economic development and public service delivery across the state. The Speaker particularly applauded the amendment to the Hospitals Management Board Law, describing the creation of zonal hospital management boards as a landmark reform that would improve healthcare administration and ensure more efficient services for citizens. He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting the executive through timely consideration of bills that promote the development of Akwa Ibom State. “These are all people-oriented bills that will affect the lives, the growth and the development of Akwa Ibom State. We will continue to work with the Executive to move the state forward,” he said. The signing of the 14 executive bills marks one of the most comprehensive legislative reform packages under the current administration, with the new laws expected to strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery, enhance transparency and accelerate socio-economic development across Akwa Ibom State.

Idongesit Mishael, Uyo “Nightfall meant darkness, insecurity and a halt to meaningful economic and social life. Today, with the commissioning of this electrification project, that story begins to change.” With these words, Director of Maritime Research, Abuja, Rear Admiral Etop Ebe, captured the relief that has come the way of residents of Ikot Edeghe community in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, following the restoration of electricity after almost a decade of blackout. The community, which had endured years without power supply, regained access to electricity on Tuesday as the Nigerian Navy commissioned a rural electrification project aimed at improving the living conditions of the people. The intervention, executed under the Nigerian Navy’s Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiative, was approved by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, and funded through the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme. The project was facilitated in honour of Rear Admiral Ebe, an indigene of the community, who identified the electricity challenge as one of the critical needs requiring urgent attention. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Ebe expressed appreciation to the Chief of Naval Staff for approving the intervention, describing it as a practical response to the developmental challenges confronting rural communities across the country. He recalled that Ikot Edeghe had remained without electricity for almost 10 years, a situation that affected economic activities, heightened insecurity and limited meaningful social interaction among residents. According to him, the restoration of electricity would transform the community by boosting commercial activities, extending business hours for traders and artisans, improving security and creating a more conducive learning environment for children. Representing the Chief of Naval Staff at the event, the Chief of Naval Transformation and Innovation, Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi, said the project demonstrated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to strengthening civil-military relations while improving the welfare of host communities through sustainable development initiatives. He explained that the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on providing critical infrastructure and improving the quality of life of Nigerians. “The Nigerian Navy recognises that the security and prosperity of our nation are strengthened when communities are empowered through meaningful development. This understanding has continued to guide our Civil-Military Cooperation efforts,” he said. Describing the project as timely and impactful, Onyemaobi stressed that the Navy’s mandate goes beyond safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain to contributing to national development through people-oriented interventions. He urged members of the community to protect the facility against vandalism and theft, noting that their cooperation would ensure the sustainability of the project for future generations. The naval chief also commended Rear Admiral Ebe for identifying a pressing need in his community, noting that leadership is best measured by its positive impact on society. Representing Governor Umo Eno, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Iniobong Robson, applauded the Nigerian Navy for complementing government’s efforts towards improving infrastructure in rural communities. Robson said the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project aligns with the state government’s ARISE Agenda, particularly its focus on expanding development to underserved communities and strengthening security across rural areas. “We appreciate the Chief of Naval Staff for these intervention projects aimed at addressing the socio-economic needs of our rural communities. This initiative complements the ARISE Agenda, which seeks to promote inclusive development and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Idara Jerome, Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Government has forwarded a bill to establish a State University Teaching Hospital and eight other health sector reform bills to the State House of Assembly for legislative consideration. The proposed legislation to establish the teaching hospital forms part of the ongoing health sector reform package designed to strengthen specialist healthcare, medical education and research, while improving the overall quality of healthcare delivery across the state. The approval followed the consideration of the draft bills by the State Executive Council after a presentation by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, who said the reforms would also bolster disease prevention and public health response, expand health insurance coverage, improve healthcare regulation and enhance the training of medical professionals. Among the proposed legislations are the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital Establishment Bill, 2026; Akwa Ibom State Public Health Security Bill, 2026; Healthcare Facilities and Service Standards, Monitoring and Accreditation Agency Bill, 2026; Health Insurance Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2026; College of Health Technology Establishment Bill; College of Nursing Sciences (Amendment) and Bill, 2026; Others include; Medical Residency Training Bill, 2026; Primary Healthcare Development Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the Drugs and Health Supplies Management Agency Bill, 2026. If passed into law, the bills are expected to strengthen health institutions, improve the regulation of hospitals and healthcare facilities, enhance the management of medicines and medical supplies, reinforce primary healthcare services and create more opportunities for the training of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Describing the proposals as one of the state’s most ambitious health sector reform initiatives, John said the legislative package would provide the legal and institutional framework needed to modernise healthcare delivery. “Taken together, these Bills constitute one of the most comprehensive health sector legislative reform packages in the history of Akwa Ibom State,” he said. The commissioner explained that the reforms were designed to strengthen public health security, improve healthcare quality and regulation, expand universal health coverage through a stronger health insurance system, reinforce residency training and establish a University Teaching Hospital that would advance specialist healthcare, medical education and research. The Executive Council also approved operational funding for the commencement of services at the Mother and Child Hospital, Okoita, in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. Expressing confidence in the legislative process, John said: “I look forward to the consideration of these Bills by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and remain confident that their passage will provide a stronger legal and institutional foundation for a healthier, more prosperous and more resilient Akwa Ibom State.”

Former National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has denied allegations that she diverted N44 billion, insisting that all the documents and facts she provided to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) exonerate her. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, Shehu said she blew the whistle on alleged financial irregularities within the agency while she was still in office. Shehu was suspended in January 2024 after the Federal Government ordered an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). She alleged that funds were moved without her approval. “There were movements of funds, all without my authorisation, consent or approval,” she said. Shehu claimed that she formally petitioned the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged violations before she was suspended, adding that rather than being commended for blowing the whistle, she suffered a reprisal. “I was the first to register the complaint, but I got a reprisal instead of an honour,” she said. Denying allegations that she diverted N44 billion, Shehu said the EFCC never traced any funds to her or members of her family and that she never transferred N44 billion to any personal account. She said she fully cooperated with the EFCC’s investigation and provided documents and evidence to support her claims. “The EFCC has investigated me. I helped them to do their job while I was in office. I gave them documents and I gave them facts. In all this matter, what I’m trying to let Nigerians understand is that there are facts, and facts don’t lie,” she said. The EFCC has not publicly responded to Shehu’s latest claims made during the Arise Television interview.

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.