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Idara Jerome, Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will continue to face the full weight of the law after securing the conviction of eight offenders in June for rape, attempted murder and physical assault. The state said the convictions—comprising five rape cases, two cases of physical abuse and one attempted murder—underscore its zero-tolerance policy against violence and its resolve to ensure justice for survivors. Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairperson of the Akwa Ibom State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, disclosed this during a thanksgiving service to mark the end of the 2026 Gender-Based Violence Awareness Month at the Presbyterian Church, Uyo. She said the convictions, all secured within June, demonstrate the effectiveness of the state’s strengthened response to gender-based violence through improved prosecution, collaboration among security agencies and enhanced support for survivors. “This sends a clear and unmistakable message that in Akwa Ibom State, violence will not be tolerated and justice will be pursued without compromise. It also gives survivors with pending matters hope that justice is not only possible but inevitable when we stand firm,” Obareki said. She described the conviction for attempted murder, secured on June 25, as particularly significant because it was the first GBV case recorded during the tenure of the late First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno. “That attempted murder case is deeply personal. It was the very first case recorded during the tenure of my dear mother, Her Excellency Pastor Patience Umo Eno. That it has now resulted in a conviction is not just justice served; it is a testament that the foundation she laid continues to yield results and that her passion for protecting the vulnerable lives on,” she added. Obareki said the administration of Governor Umo Eno has reinforced legal and institutional measures against gender-based violence by strengthening prosecution, expanding medical and psychosocial support services for survivors and making reporting mechanisms more accessible. According to her, greater collaboration among security agencies, the Ministry of Justice, civil society organisations and development partners has significantly improved access to justice while reinforcing public confidence in the state’s response to GBV. She also highlighted the intervention of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), saying survivors have benefited from vocational training, business grants, sewing machines and start-up kits through partnerships, including support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Obareki maintained that addressing poverty, dependency and ignorance remains essential to reducing vulnerability to abuse. “GIFA strikes directly at the root vulnerabilities that expose our people to exploitation and abuse: poverty, dependency and ignorance. When a family is stable, a woman is economically empowered and a child is protected by community structures, the oxygen is cut off from Gender-Based Violence,” she said. She called on religious bodies, community leaders, government institutions and non-governmental organisations to sustain efforts at creating safe spaces for victims to report abuse without fear, while urging young people to champion a culture of respect, accountability and non-violence. Also speaking, Secretary of the State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Barr. Emem Ette, commended more than 50 non-governmental organisations for supporting the month-long statewide awareness campaign and urged parents to remain vigilant, noting that perpetrators of abuse are often people known and trusted by their victims. The thanksgiving service was attended by members of the Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, the Coalition Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, development partners and other stakeholders involved in the month-long campaign against gender-based violence.

Idongesit Mishael, Uyo An Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced a 36-year-old woman, Uwakmfon Isaac Jonah, to life imprisonment after finding that she deliberately lured an 11-year-old girl into a bush, slashed her neck, injured one of her eyes and left her for dead. Delivering judgment in Essien Udim on Thursday, Justice Winifred Effiong ruled that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the attack was a calculated attempt to kill the child, describing the defendant’s explanation as unbelievable and unsupported by evidence. The convict was found guilty on a one-count charge of attempted murder contrary to Section 276 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022. The court heard that the victim had accompanied her mother, a pepper trader, to Urua Akpan Market on July 20, 2023, where she was hawking fresh pepper when the defendant approached her under the pretence of buying the commodity. According to the prosecution, the woman persuaded the child to accompany her to a nearby bush, claiming an elderly customer wanted to buy pepper but was unable to walk to the market. The victim, whose statement was admitted in evidence, told the court that she became suspicious when the journey became longer than expected and attempted to turn back. She said the defendant grabbed her, tied her mouth with a piece of cloth to prevent her from screaming, pulled out a knife from her bag and inflicted deep cuts on her neck and left eye before fleeing the scene. “I followed the lady because she put on a nice dress. When I said I could not continue the journey, she held me. I tried to run but fell. She tied my mouth with my cloth so I could not shout for help, brought out a knife from her bag and cut my left eye and the right side of my neck before running away,” the child told the court. The victim survived the attack, managed to return to the market and was reunited with her mother before she was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan, for treatment. During the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered the statements of both the victim and the defendant as exhibits. Although the defendant admitted taking the child from the market into the bush, she denied attacking her, insisting she handed the girl over to another woman allegedly working on a nearby waterleaf farm. Justice Effiong dismissed the defence, noting that the defendant could neither identify nor provide any details of the alleged woman. The judge held that the victim’s testimony was direct, credible and corroborated by the defendant’s own admission, the nature of the injuries sustained and the child’s immediate identification of her while receiving treatment. “The defendant lured a vulnerable child away from the safety of a public market and into a secluded bush. The child sustained a deep cut to the neck and injuries to the eye. “The neck is one of the most vital and vulnerable parts of the human body. A person who deliberately inflicts a deep cut on the neck of a helpless child must be presumed to intend the natural and probable consequences of such an act. The fact that the child survived does not negate the intention,” Justice Effiong held. The court ruled that the prosecution had established all the ingredients of attempted murder beyond reasonable doubt. Although defence counsel pleaded for leniency, Justice Effiong held that life imprisonment is the mandatory punishment prescribed under Section 276 of the Criminal Code. “This court lacks the jurisdiction to reduce the sentence prescribed by law,” the judge said before sentencing the defendant to life imprisonment.

Idara Jerome, Uyo Stakeholders at the Akwa Ibom Green Jobs Roundtable have called on the state government to address existing policy, financing and institutional gaps hampering the development of the green economy, warning that the state’s vast natural and human resources remain largely underutilised despite huge opportunities for job creation. The call formed the highlight of a communiqué issued at the end of the Stakeholders’ Roundtable on the Promotion of Green Jobs and Green Enterprise Development in Akwa Ibom State, convened by the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources in collaboration with the Clement Isong Foundation (CIF) through the Ambeghe Movement in Uyo. Participants, drawn from government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector, observed that Akwa Ibom possesses significant natural, human and institutional assets capable of making it a leader in Nigeria’s emerging green economy, but lamented that the opportunities have remained largely untapped because of gaps in policy, financing and institutional coordination. To reverse the trend, the stakeholders urged the state government to develop a comprehensive Climate Change Policy with green skills development, green jobs and the circular economy serving as critical pillars for sustainable economic growth. They also advocated the creation of a dedicated Green Jobs Framework that would map the state’s sectoral strengths and provide clear pathways for young people and entrepreneurs to access employment and investment opportunities. “Akwa Ibom State possesses significant natural, human and institutional assets that position it as a potential leader in Nigeria’s emerging green economy, yet these assets remain largely untapped due to gaps in policy, financing and institutional coordination,” the participants stated in the communiqué. The stakeholders noted that Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda already contains climate-responsive priorities, including erosion management, flood control, coastal protection, solar energy transition and recycling initiatives, which they described as potential drivers of green investments and youth employment. According to them, green skills development, circular economy enterprises and climate-smart livelihoods represent viable but underfunded pathways to youth economic inclusion. They stressed that the transition to a green economy should be pursued as both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity requiring deliberate policies, increased public investment and stronger private sector collaboration. “The transition to a green economy in Akwa Ibom State is not only an environmental necessity but an economic opportunity that must be pursued with deliberate policy commitment, adequate public investment and structured private sector partnership,” the stakeholders said. The roundtable featured exhibitions by youth-led green enterprises, which participants endorsed as a platform for attracting investors, promoting innovation and expanding market access. They consequently recommended that the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources institutionalise an annual Green Enterprise Exhibition and Innovation Fair to sustain the momentum. The participants also urged the state government to leverage the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) framework under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, as a funding mechanism for green skills acquisition and enterprise development in oil-producing communities. “The Akwa Ibom State Government should develop a dedicated Green Jobs Framework that strategically maps the state’s sectoral strengths and creates clear pathways through which young people and entrepreneurs can access green employment and enterprise opportunities,” the communiqué added. They further called for the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform to track progress, mobilise funding and coordinate green job initiatives, while insisting that persons with disabilities should be deliberately included in all programmes under the agenda. The stakeholders also urged the government to explore structured environmental management corps as a means of creating immediate jobs for young people and strengthening environmental compliance and urban sustainability. Commending the Clement Isong Foundation, Ambeghe Movement and ActionAid Nigeria for championing the initiative, the participants expressed confidence that a green economy remains essential to Akwa Ibom’s long-term prosperity and environmental resilience. “Akwa Ibom’s green future will be built by its people, and today, those people have spoken,” the communiqué concluded.

Akwa Ibom State Government has concluded plans to engage more than 2,200 village youth presidents as community intelligence officers, in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots security and making local leaders accountable for developments within their communities. Governor Umo Eno disclosed this on Friday while speaking with Government House correspondents on his arrival at the Victor Attah International Airport after a two-day official engagement outside the state. He said the initiative, which will be implemented through the Ibom Community Watch, is part of efforts to bolster intelligence gathering and enhance the state’s preparedness in the face of prevailing security challenges across the country. According to the governor, the youth presidents, who reside in their respective communities, will undergo training by the Nigeria Police and other security agencies before being formally integrated into the state’s security framework. “The security situation in the country demands that all state governors become very proactive. The village youth presidents live in the villages and we have over 2,200 villages. They must now come in to become part of the security architecture of the state as we prepare to roll out our state police,” he said. Eno explained that the youth leaders would serve as intelligence officers responsible for information gathering and community surveillance. “They will be our intelligence officers. They will be trained on intelligence gathering by the Nigerian Police and other security agencies and then we will formally bring them in,” he stated. The governor said the initiative would create employment opportunities for more than 2,200 youths while ensuring that local leaders assume greater responsibility for happenings within their communities. “Government now hires you. You need to know the number of people in your village and who the visitors are. Criminal activities don’t happen overnight and security breaches don’t happen overnight,” he said. He lamented incidents of vandalism of public infrastructure, including schools, insisting that such acts should no longer occur unnoticed in communities with established youth leadership structures. On arrival, the governor also inspected ongoing work at the Aviation Village project located within the Victor Attah International Airport complex.

Idara Jerome – Uyo Twenty of the 50 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses ordered by the Akwa Ibom State Government from Turkey have arrived in Lagos, with work nearing completion on the supporting terminals and maintenance facilities ahead of their deployment, Governor Umo Eno has disclosed. Speaking at a dinner in honour of a delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in Uyo, the governor said the CNG-powered buses form part of efforts to modernise public transportation and create alternatives to oil-driven economic growth. “Twenty out of the 50 CNG buses ordered from Turkey have arrived in Lagos and will soon arrive the State, while construction at the terminal and work station are ongoing,” Eno said. The governor also announced that the state would on Tuesday unveil its quaternary Ibom International Hospital with 24 specialist departments, describing the projects as part of a broader strategy to strengthen healthcare, transportation and other critical sectors. “We believe we are powering from all directions. We have built model health centres with accommodation for health personnel, model schools with staff quarters and 468 compassionate homes with a target of 500,” he said. According to him, the state government is deliberately creating alternatives to oil through investments that would deliver long-term economic value to residents. “What we are doing is to create alternatives to oil and in a few years’ time, they will make more meaning to our people,” he added. The governor further disclosed that Ibom Air would commence twice-weekly international flights to Ghana from June 28 and said discussions were ongoing with Ethiopian Airlines to begin direct flights to Addis Ababa. He said he would travel to Canada in July to receive another Airbus A220 aircraft to support the airline’s regional operations. On the Ibom Deep Seaport project, Eno revealed that investors who had earlier withdrawn interest had returned to the negotiation table and appealed for support to ensure the project was not undermined by politics. “I strongly appeal that the politics of location should not be allowed to jeopardise the project,” he said. The governor also reaffirmed Akwa Ibom’s support for President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, attributing improved funding to support from the Federal Government. Members of the RMAFC delegation commended the state for its infrastructure and prudent use of resources, describing Akwa Ibom as one of the country’s most compelling development stories.

Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to officially unveil the 350-bed Ibom International Hospital, a multi-specialty healthcare facility designed to provide advanced medical services through 24 specialist departments and serve as the hub of the broader Ibom Medical City project. The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Ibom Medical City along the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road, with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, expected as special guest of honour. Also expected is the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar. According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, the medical city is conceived as an integrated healthcare ecosystem combining clinical care, medical education, research, accommodation, innovation and wellness services within a single development framework. The statement said the 10-storey hospital, with a capacity of 350 beds, is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to specialist services, while supporting efforts to attract medical tourism and healthcare investments. Other components of the project include a 100-unit residential facility for medical personnel, research and training centres, pharmaceutical and laboratory hubs, as well as digital health and wellness infrastructure aimed at supporting modern healthcare delivery. “The 350-bed Ibom International Hospital will provide services through 24 specialty departments and is designed to strengthen medical service delivery and expand innovation in the health sector,” the statement said. It added that the Ibom Medical City project seeks to create “an integrated healthcare ecosystem that combines clinical services, medical education, research, accommodation, innovation and wellness within a single development framework.” According to the statement, the facility also includes “medical research and training centres, pharmaceutical and laboratory hubs, and digital health and wellness infrastructure to support advanced healthcare delivery and medical tourism.” The government further noted that the project was developed through a collaborative effort involving the Ministries of Health, Special Duties and Housing and is being supervised by Tokiye Integrated Medical Services (TIMS), a healthcare project development and management firm with operations in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The statement disclosed that the project received the endorsement of healthcare stakeholders following the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health ARISE Health Sector Town Hall Meeting held in July 2025. The state government invited health sector stakeholders, development partners, members of the public and the media to witness what it described as a significant step towards expanding healthcare infrastructure and positioning the state as a destination for quality medical services in Africa.

Idara Jerome, Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Prince Akpan Ikim, has defended the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the President deserves the support of Nigerians for undertaking difficult but necessary reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity. Ikim spoke in Uyo while receiving members of the Tinubu Torchbearers (TTB), led by the group’s State Coordinator, Mrs Inyene Bassey, during a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors. He said President Tinubu inherited enormous economic and institutional challenges and had demonstrated courage by implementing reforms designed to reposition the country for sustainable growth, despite the temporary hardships associated with some of the policies. According to the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ coordinator, political support groups and stakeholders have a responsibility to deepen public understanding of government programmes and promote national unity through constructive engagement. “As Renewed Hope Ambassadors, we are guided by one party, one message and one mobilisation framework. This principle ensures discipline, unity and strategic engagement, and guarantees that we speak with one voice in communicating government policies and mobilising support across our communities in a coordinated and responsible manner,” Ikim said. He urged members of the Tinubu Torchbearers to remain committed to engaging citizens with facts, patriotism and civility, stressing that their assignment extends beyond electoral mobilisation to fostering understanding and confidence in government policies. Ikim also lauded the contributions of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno, noting that their leadership had continued to inspire confidence and promote people-oriented governance. Earlier, the State Coordinator of the Tinubu Torchbearers, Mrs Inyene Bassey, disclosed that the group had commenced an aggressive grassroots mobilisation drive across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State in preparation for the 2027 general elections. She said the movement was established to promote President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and consolidate support for his administration as well as that of Governor Umo Eno. According to Bassey, the organisation is focused on strengthening party structures, deepening voter education and encouraging greater participation of women and youths in the political process. “We are not here for child’s play or mere political fanfare. We are here with a clear mandate to mobilise voters across Akwa Ibom State ahead of the 2027 general elections and to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu resonates in every community and every household,” she said. Also speaking, APC State Woman Leader, Obonganwan Obonodo Uko, described the visit as a reunion of purpose among members of one political family united by the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda and national development. She commended Prince Ikim for his grassroots appeal and impact-driven leadership, saying effective political organisation thrives on unity, sacrifice and commitment to service. As part of the visit, Prince Ikim presented a mobilisation handbook to the leadership of the Tinubu Torchbearers, describing the document as a guide for interpreting government policies and strengthening grassroots advocacy across the state.

Idongesit Mishael, Uyo Investigative journalist and farmer, Ibanga Isine, has called on Governor Umo Eno to ensure the full enforcement of the Akwa Ibom State Anti-Open Grazing Law, warning that farmers and agricultural investments in the state are increasingly vulnerable to attacks by herders and their cattle. Isine also alleged that he was humiliated and denied fair hearing at Magistrate Court 7, Uyo, during proceedings arising from the prosecution of a suspect arrested following repeated invasions of his farms. In a statement made available to VVCWatch on Friday, the journalist urged the governor to demonstrate that agriculture, one of the pillars of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, is not merely a slogan but a protected sector capable of attracting and sustaining investments. “Farmers should not be left at the mercy of lawless herders. Citizens who invest their resources in food production should not be punished for contributing to food security and economic development. The state must demonstrate that agriculture is not merely a slogan but a protected and respected sector of the economy. The rule of law must protect farmers as much as it protects everyone else,” he said. Isine disclosed that his family and business partners invested heavily in commercial agriculture in response to government policies promoting the sector and currently operate two farms cultivating tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, pepper, pumpkin leaves, cassava, yam and plantain. According to him, the farms, which provide direct employment to about 20 persons, have suffered at least five invasions by herders and cattle, leading to the destruction of crops and irrigation facilities valued at several millions of naira. “Our farms have been invaded on at least five occasions. One hectare of cucumber was destroyed, another hectare of okra was ruined after cattle trampled through the farm, while a sophisticated irrigation system was damaged. Beyond the destruction of property, farm workers were chased away and, on one occasion, a herder allegedly pursued me with a cutlass,” he alleged. The journalist said he petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, which led to the arrest and arraignment of one Abdullahi Yusuf, but lamented that his ordeal worsened during court proceedings on June 18. He alleged that journalists from Pioneer Newspaper, Inspiration FM and XL FM were denied access to the courtroom despite presenting valid identity cards, while he was ordered out of the court by the presiding magistrate, Godwin Edemekong, without being allowed to explain that he was the complainant in the matter. “What happened in the courtroom was not only a personal humiliation. It raised serious issues about judicial impartiality, the constitutional right to a fair hearing and freedom of the press. It also questions the transparency in judicial proceedings and the willingness of public institutions to protect law-abiding citizens who seek justice through lawful means,” Isine stated. He further alleged that three police officers forcefully escorted him out of the courtroom after the magistrate refused to hear him despite appearing in obedience to the directive of the police prosecutor. “I had done nothing to disrupt proceedings. I had not insulted the court. I had not disobeyed any lawful order. I had merely appeared in court in response to the directive of the prosecutor and in pursuit of justice regarding the destruction of my property. The humiliation was profound and very deep,” he added. Isine called on the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Fabian-Obot, to investigate the conduct of Magistrate Edemekong and officials involved in the exclusion of journalists and his removal from the courtroom. He also urged the Nigerian Bar Association to probe the actions of the police prosecutor, Mr Blessing Essien, over alleged failures to properly communicate hearing dates and developments in the case.

Stephanie Peter – Uyo The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Ovie Success, has condemned the timing of Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli’s announcement of the release of her tribute movie, The First Lady. The film stars Oboli alongside the late Alexx Ekubo and, according to the actress, marked the beginning of their friendship. However, Ovie disagreed with the manner and timing of the announcement. In a Facebook post, the governor’s aide criticised Oboli for unveiling the project on social media just hours after the actor was laid to rest. “I am disappointed in Omoni Oboli for using Alexx Ekubo’s burial to promote her movie and cash out,” Ovie wrote. Although the actress explained in her announcement video that proceeds from the movie would be donated to Ekubo’s family, Ovie described the gesture as a smokescreen, arguing that “it’s clear this is a way of leveraging people’s emotions to subtly promote her YouTube channel.” According to him, if the intention was truly to honour the late actor, the announcement could have been postponed, The PUNCH reported. He further urged the public to call out such actions, stating that “tragedy should not become a content calendar event. Let’s protect the dignity of the dead and stop monetising people’s pain.” The controversy has once again raised questions about the growing trend of posthumous publicity surrounding deceased entertainers. From “Top 10 Movies” to “Top 10 Songs” lists published shortly after the deaths of actors and musicians, opinions remain divided on whether such efforts genuinely help preserve their legacies and support their families, or merely seek to capitalise on public grief and heightened attention. Time, perhaps, will provide the answer.