vvcwatch

A university don, Professor Herbert Batta, has urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to ignore what he described as trivial and sensational issues and instead focus on fixing critical development challenges such as infrastructure decay, unemployment and food insecurity. Batta made the call while reacting to widespread circulation of a fake social media report alleging the sponsorship of an anti-adultery bill that would jail women involved with married men for 10 years and impose a N2 million fine on adulterous men. He said the attention given to the circulating report, including official rebuttals from government quarters, exposed a growing tendency to be distracted from the core responsibilities of governance. According to him, a government genuinely committed to development would be preoccupied with completing abandoned rural and urban roads, schools, health facilities, water schemes, ecological and electricity projects scattered across the state. “A government that is serious about human development should be completing abandoned roads, schools, health facilities, water and electricity projects across the state, not getting distracted by idle controversies,” Batta said. The professor who also identified food insecurity as a pressing concern, called on the state to establish mechanised farms in all local government areas to boost food production, generate raw materials for industries and support export. “Akwa Ibom must confront food insecurity by establishing mechanised farms in every local government to produce food, cash crops and raw materials for industries and export,” he stated. On unemployment, Batta urged the government to prioritise job creation through deliberate partnerships with investors to establish industries across the LGAs, rather than encouraging a dependency culture among youths, warning that distractions often thrive where accountability is weak.

Suspected armed robbers have shot dead an unidentified commercial motorcyclist in Ikot Ambang, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, and escaped with his motorcycle, cash and mobile phone. The incident occurred near the community hall along the Ikot Ambang stretch of the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Highway, barely a few kilometres from Uyo, the state capital. An eyewitness, Mr. Enobong Usen, a Point of Sale (POS) operator in the area, said the attackers struck at about 6:00 a.m. after trailing the victim on another motorcycle. According to Usen, the assailants accosted the motorcyclist at gunpoint near the town hall, where a brief struggle ensued as the victim attempted to resist. “Within seconds, one of the attackers shot him at close range. He fell off the motorcycle immediately. The gunmen then searched his pockets, took his phone and other valuables, mounted the motorcycle and escaped through adjoining village routes,” he said. Reacting to the incident, a community youth leader, Comrade Ofonmbuk Udo, expressed concern over the rising insecurity in communities on the outskirts of Uyo, noting that the identity of the deceased was yet to be established. He disclosed that the corpse had been deposited at a private morgue in the community, adding that the incident has threatened a sense of safety of many residents of the area. Udo called on security agencies to intensify patrols beyond the Uyo city centre, lamenting what he described as the neglect of neighbouring local government areas. “Since the yuletide period, there has been heavy police presence within Uyo, with multiple checkpoints causing traffic congestion and alleged extortion of motorists. Meanwhile, outskirts such as Ikot Ambang in Ibiono Ibom, Itam in Itu LGA, and Itak in Ikono LGA remain largely under-policed and exposed to criminal activities,” he said. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, proved unsuccessful as calls to her phone were unanswered. However, police sources at the nearby Itam Police Station confirmed the incident and said investigations had commenced, assuring that operatives were on the trail of the suspects with a view to bringing them to justice.

Media Must Build Democracy, Not Destroy It — Sen. Sampson As He Trains, Unveils Trust Fund for Journalists Senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Ekong Sampson, has charged Nigerian journalists to embrace their responsibility as builders of democracy, warning that the media’s enormous power must be exercised with restraint, truth, and purpose. He spoke at a media training organized by the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) and facilitated by his office on “ICT, Strategic Media Engagements and Sustainable Development,” held at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo on Thursday. Addressing participants, Sampson identified the media as central pillars of the democratic process, not peripheral observers. Recalling his insistence on voting during the last election of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Senator, who is a long-standing member of the union, said, “I voted to make a statement that the media can form family. The media plays a key role in our society and is part of the electoral framework.” The Senator, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, said his continuous engagement with journalists was intentional, aimed at creating spaces for reflection, learning, and recalibration in a rapidly evolving information landscape. He assured participants that such interactions would be sustained throughout his tenure in the National Assembly. Tracing the evolution of Nigerian journalism from the era of Iwe Iroyin to the dominance of digital media, Sampson acknowledged the revolutionary impact of technology but warned against its misuse. In his words, “The media can build empires and the media can also bring down empires. I therefore want to use this medium to urge media practitioners to prioritize truth, objectivity, and bridge-building.” While cautioning that reckless reporting ultimately harms society, the lawmaker also urged journalists to interrogate global political developments, such as the Venezuelan crisis, as part of broader debates on sovereignty and global governance. Reaffirming his legislative priorities, Sampson said education remains the foundation of journalism and national development. “Without education, there is no journalist,” he said, explaining that his interventions in scholarships and grants are driven by a belief that Nigeria’s path to greatness lies in human capital development. He used the occasion to unveil plans to establish a Journalists’ Trust Fund in Akwa Ibom State to support the welfare, training, and professional development of media practitioners, saying the initiative would institutionalize support and strengthen professionalism in the sector. Earlier, Chairman of the Association of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District Media Professionals, Dr. Edet Okpo, described the program as a deliberate shift from tokenistic empowerment. “This is not about sharing rice. This is intellectual empowerment. This is innovation. Thank you, distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson, for your consistency in media capacity building since 2024,” he said. Okpo said the symposium was designed to align journalists’ skills with contemporary realities in ICT, strategic communication, and sustainable development, as well as strengthen their mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and impact in governance. In his keynote address, Professor Peter Esuh, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, warned that digital technology has eroded traditional gatekeeping while amplifying ethical risks. He urged journalists to balance ICT competence with research, critical thinking, and ethical judgment to curb misinformation. Delivering the lead lecture on “Maximizing the Power of Digital Media Platforms in Shaping Public Views About Leadership and Representation in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District,” Professor Herbert Batta, Head of the Department of Information and Media Studies, University of Uyo, called for a shift from episodic reporting to development-focused journalism. He said the media’s real power lies in sustained engagement that tracks policies and outcomes, not fleeting outrage. Also delivering a lecture on “X-Raying Public Interest and Expectations in Good Governance Through Legislation and Engagements,” Dr. Idongesit Ashameri, journalist, PR, and Media Consultant, urged journalists to see themselves as “public interest cartographers,” noting that media professionals are tasked with mapping the gap between legislative promises and citizens’ lived experiences. She warned against self-censorship and performative governance, stressing that society suffers more from poor implementation than lack of laws. Ashameri called for investigative, beneficiary-centered, and data-driven reporting that X-rays legislation, budgets, and public engagements, arguing that accountability journalism remains democracy’s strongest corrective mechanism. The event climaxed with the conferment of the Outstanding Public Service and Effective Representation Award on Senator Sampson by the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals.

Army Confirms Ongoing Probe of alleged killing of 13-year-old by soldier in Ikot Abasi The Nigerian Army has confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the death of a 13-year-old boy allegedly shot by a soldier attached to Sterling Petrochemical and Fertiliser Limited in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2026, along Akongntekong Road, Ete, sparked outrage and tension within the community. Confirming the development, the Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade, Mbiokporo, Captain Lawal Mohamed, said the matter had been taken over by the Military Police. “The incident has been handled by the Military Police and is already under investigation. Due process would be followed”. He assured Eyewitness accounts indicate that the victim, Timothy Daniel, was returning from a crossover service at Mount Zion Full Gospel Church with his 15-year-old sister, Miracle Daniel, when the incident occurred at about 12:05 a.m. An eyewitness, Mr. Anthony Akpan, told Daily Independent that Miracle had briefly crossed the road when the soldier who was on guard duty at the residence of the late former clan head, HRH Barr. Clement Idemudo, where expatriates reportedly reside, allegedly followed her and made inappropriate advances. According to Akpan, when the girl resisted and protested, the soldier allegedly became aggressive and threatened her. Timothy, who was waiting nearby, reportedly confronted the soldier over the alleged harassment of his sister, leading to a heated exchange. The confrontation allegedly escalated, culminating in the soldier firing his rifle and hitting the teenager. Timothy was said to have died on the spot, after which the soldier reportedly retreated into the compound while other security personnel later removed the body. “The shooting triggered panic and unrest in the area, disrupting New Year celebrations. Even a vehicle belonging to a former political adviser to the Ikot Abasi Local Government Chairman, Obong Uyai Udoiwod, was damaged during the ensuing commotion” he said Reacting, the Ukpum Ete Clan Union (Mboho Ukpum Ete), through its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Patrick Udoma, condemned the killing, describing it as unprofessional and unacceptable. “The President General of Mboho Ukpum Ete expresses deep dissatisfaction over the conduct of the soldier attached to Sterling Petrochemical, whose actions resulted in the death of an innocent citizen, This act is perceived as terrorism and is totally unacceptable to the people of Ukpum Ete clan.” He said The group called on relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the victim.

Akwa Ibom South stakeholders reject single-term option, endorse Ekong Sampson for second term Stakeholders of Akwa Ibom South (Eket Senatorial District) have formally rejected the single-term or replacement option for the district’s senatorial seat, insisting on competence, experience and continuity, as they unanimously endorsed Senator Ekong Sampson for a second term in office. The resolution was reached during a briefing and interactive session with political leaders, elders and community stakeholders across party lines, held at Villa Marina, Eket, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday. The stakeholders said the era of rotating senators after one term should end, arguing that sustained development could only be achieved through continuity in representation. A motion adopting Sampson for a second term was moved by former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, and seconded by former House of Representatives member, Hon. Dr. Owoidighe Ekpotai, before being unanimously ratified by voice vote. Chairman of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District Elders Forum and former lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien, said the decision was based on performance rather than sentiment. “This district must move away from single-term experiments and focus on quality representation. Senator Ekong Sampson has distinguished himself as one of the most active and articulate lawmakers in the Senate.” Essien said Essien added that stakeholders were satisfied with Sampson’s record barely two years into his tenure. “As critical stakeholders, we are satisfied with his representation, which is the primary reason he was sent to the National Assembly,” he said. Speaking while moving the endorsement motion, Ekuwem said continuity was necessary for the district to maximise federal opportunities. “We believe competence, experience and continuity are critical if Akwa Ibom South is to attract sustainable development and real dividends of democracy,” he said. In his address, Senator Sampson thanked the stakeholders for what he described as a vote of confidence, saying the endorsement would further motivate him to deliver. In his words “I am deeply grateful for this unanimous decision and the confidence reposed in me, I remain committed to people-focused legislation and constituency-driven interventions across the 12 local government areas.” Sampson outlined his legislative contributions, including bills on the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; Federal Medical Centres; the South-South Development Commission; and advocacy for the Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron, and the revival of ALSCON. He also highlighted constituency projects in education, healthcare, water, electrification and empowerment, and announced plans for a second phase of empowerment involving vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, outboard engines and business grants. Representing the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, former Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Ikpoto Okon Osung, said the senator enjoyed strong goodwill from the state government. “Senator Ekong Sampson has built enormous goodwill with Governor Umo Eno, and he must remain steadfast in effective representation of his constituents,” Osung said. The meeting was attended by serving and former political office holders, party leaders and key stakeholders from across the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

2025: A’Ibom Police Recover 179 Arms, Secure 33 Convictions, Rescue 74 From Traffickers   No fewer than 179 assorted arms, 323 rounds of ammunition and 100 live cartridges were recovered by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command in 2025. The arms haul, according to the police, formed part of a year-long crackdown that also led to 33 convictions from 563 suspects arrested for various offences, alongside the rescue of 74 victims of human trafficking and 10 kidnapped persons, all of whom have since been reunited with their families. Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Muhammad Azare, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, while presenting the Command’s operational scorecard for the year. Azare who described the security situation in Akwa Ibom in 2025 as “generally peaceful, calm and stable,” attributed the achievements recorded to intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, strategic deployment of personnel, strong community cooperation and effective inter-agency collaboration. He said the Command recorded significant operational breakthroughs during the period, particularly in the disruption of armed crime and kidnapping syndicates operating within and around the state. “The Command recorded the following major achievements in 2025, among others: the rescue of 10 kidnapped victims, recovery of 179 assorted arms, 323 different types of ammunition, and 100 pieces of live cartridges,” the Commissioner said. Beyond arms recovery and convictions, Azare noted that the rescue of 74 human trafficking victims underscored the Command’s renewed focus on protecting vulnerable persons and dismantling trafficking networks. He assured residents that security arrangements had been further strengthened for the festive period and beyond, with intensified patrols, stop-and-search operations and strategic deployments across all local government areas. Looking ahead, the Police Commissioner said the Command would deepen intelligence-driven policing and crime prevention strategies in 2026, with increased attention on violent crimes, cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping. He added that community policing would be strengthened to build public trust, while the Command would also take a more proactive stance against cybercrime and the spread of fake news, working closely with sister security agencies. Azare expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for what he described as “purposeful leadership and unwavering support,” and thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continued assistance to the Command.

Akwa Ibom Finance Commissioner Reveals Over 20% of State’s 2024 Revenue “Not Remitted” The Akwa Ibom State Government has admitted that more than one-fifth of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for 2024 never reached the state’s official account. The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, disclosed the alarming shortfall, stating that over 20% of revenue collected by various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) was not swept into the State Consolidated Revenue Fund. This failure, he declared, not only breaches international financial management standards but has also damaged the state’s fiscal reputation nationally. The disclosure was made during a high-stakes sensitization workshop, focusing on the imminent full implementation of a Treasury Single Account (TSA) system, dubbed AkwaRemit, in Uyo at the weekend. “Akwa Ibom State fell short… as more than 20% of the State IGR was not swept into the State Consolidated Revenue Account,” Bob stated, citing the damning evidence from the 2024 Public Financial Management Assessment Report and the state’s own Fiscal Responsibility Board. He warned that this practice “undermined the State’s Revenue Generation Status at the national level.” Positioning the TSA as the critical solution, Commissioner Bob insisted that its immediate implementation is non-negotiable for plugging these leaks. He described the TSA as a unified banking structure designed to consolidate all government funds, ensuring centralized, transparent, and accountable revenue management. “The TSA is to block loopholes in revenue management and establish an efficient disbursement and collection mechanism for government funds”. He said. He assured stakeholders of the government’s full commitment to the project. The event, attended by top state officials including the Commissioners for Science & Digital Economy, Transport, and Health, as well as the Accountant-General and heads of MDAs, presented a united front for the financial overhaul. Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, Commissioner for Science & Digital Economy, demonstrated the user-friendly AkwaRemit platform, while the Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, urged full cooperation. He noted that the federal government and other states are already benefiting from similar TSA systems.

Showunmi Calls for Urgent Restoration of Uyo’s Cleanliness National Leader of The Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi has criticized the environmental and developmental state of Akwa Ibom, warning that the capital city Uyo is losing its status as Nigeria’s cleanest and most beautiful city. In an interview with newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, the PDP Chieftain expressed deep disappointment at what he called a visible decline in cleanliness and stalled key projects. “I am not too happy that Uyo is beginning to lose its cleanliness. Before, when you drove through Uyo, you would not see one small piece of paper on the road. Now, I’m seeing ‘pure water’ sachets littering the streets.” He lamented Showunmi, who passionately described Akwa Ibom as “the most beautiful location Nigeria has to showcase to the world,” said he often boasts internationally about Uyo’s comparability to any global city. He however expressed fears that such a unique selling point is under threat. The chieftain who placed the blame on leadership failures, warns: “Leadership is a serious business. No man should leave the work of man for God to do for him.” He called for the immediate return of environmental standards to those of previous administrations, specifically alluding to the era of former Governor Godswill Akpabio. His frustration extended beyond environmental concerns to unfinished iconic projects , noting especially the Ibom Deep Seaport and the coconut refinery, he said; “Finish it!. You have put up billboards all over the place claiming progress, but show us the completed work. Everyone will know the job is not finished until it is functioning.” While acknowledging divine support with “God will help us,” Showunmi maintained that actionable human effort is required and non-negotiable to restore Akwa Ibom’s hard-earned reputation and push already-expended projects to beneficial ends. Showunmi’s concerns were recently corroborated on the communique issued at the end of the December Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, which also drew attention to the poor sanitary condition of some parts of the capital city including Ukana Offot Street and the deteriorating internal roads in Uyo, calling for urgent repairs and improved waste management. The Union raised the alarm over the abandonment of critical roads such as the Eket–Ibeno Road, Ikot Akpan Abia Road, Ikot Iko and Ikot Akpa Edu, alongside persistent electricity outages in the affected communities, which they said have crippled local economies and worsened living conditions.

NUJ Akwa Ibom Raises Alarm Over Calabar–Itu Highway, Other Deplorable Roads       The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has raised serious concern over the deplorable condition of the Calabar–Itu Highway, describing the road as a major threat to lives and safety, and has urged the state government to immediately take over its reconstruction.       The union made the call during December State Council Congress held at NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo, following deliberations on issues affecting public safety and development in the state.       According to the congress, the persistent deterioration of the Calabar–Itu Highway has continued to result in frequent accidents, severe traffic gridlock and loss of lives, causing untold hardship to commuters and motorists who rely on the corridor daily.       In a communique jointly signed by the state Chairman, Comrade Nsibiet John and Chairman communique drafting committee, Comrade Okodi Okodi the union said “The Calabar–Itu Highway has become a death trap, and commuters are paying the price with their lives. We are calling on the Akwa Ibom State Government to take over the reconstruction of this road in the interest of public safety.”       Beyond the Calabar–Itu axis, the union drew attention to the poor state of internal roads within Uyo metropolis, including Ukana Offot Street, and urged the government to urgently seal the increasing potholes and maintain a clean and motorable urban environment.       The congress also expressed concern over the deplorable condition of roads in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, noting that the road serves as a strategic economic corridor for the transportation of seafood to Uyo and several other parts of the country.       “It is unacceptable that a key route supporting livelihoods and commerce is allowed to deteriorate to this level,” the communiqué stated.       Congress further raised alarm over the abandoned Eket–Ibeno Road, Ikot Akpan Abia Road, Ikot Iko and Ikot Akpa Edu, lamenting that prolonged abandonment, coupled with persistent lack of electricity in the affected areas, has crippled economic activities and rendered living conditions unbearable.       In addition to infrastructure concerns, the NUJ commended the progress recorded at its Fourth Estate School and urged the management to sustain and consolidate the gains already achieved.       The union also celebrated members for outstanding academic achievements, including Comrade Edet Okpo of Sensor Chapel, who successfully defended his doctoral thesis, alongside Comrade Dan Etokidem, Comrade Udeme Utip and Comrade Blessing Urua, who completed their Master’s degree defenses at the University of Uyo.       “We are proud of our members’ academic advancement because it strengthens professionalism and ethical journalism,” Comrade Nsibiet John added.