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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.

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.