It was with a profound sense of purpose that I found myself at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Center, Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, February 16, 2026. There is a saying that the future belongs to those who prepare for it today. That day, in the midst of young minds from across the nine states of the Niger Delta, I witnessed a glorious chapter of such preparation being written. The occasion was the flag-off of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) Compressed Natural Gas Autogas Conversion Training Programme, organised in collaboration with Viendenburg Energy Resources.…
Author: Ofonime Honesty
Fresh allegations of impunity and abuse of office have surfaced at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, deepening concerns over governance in the sector. The crisis comes on the heels of negative developments in the ministry that prompted Governor Umo Eno to declare a state of emergency in the health sector, following reported administrative lapses that allegedly contributed to loss of lives. However, while the dust from that episode which led to the dismissal and demotion of concerned staffers is yet to settle, the ministry has again been thrust into controversy, this time over alleged violation of the Public…
There are moments when you have to stop pretending that we are a civilized society. One of those moments is now! The Benue State Government wants to build a five-star rehabilitation centre for TERRORISTS. Yes, you read that right. The Benue State Government, under its governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has formally requested that the Chief of Defence Staff approve a Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) Center. A state with dilapidated roads, education, and health infrastructure is prioritizing doling out billions of Naira for a programme which may have been conceptualized in the pit of hades. About four hundred terrorists,…
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has fixed Monday, March 9, 2026, for the commencement of the physical and credential screening of successful applicants in the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The exercise, which is scheduled to run until April 18, 2026, will take place simultaneously across all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, the PSC spokesman, Torty Njoku Kalu, directed all candidates who successfully completed the online registration phase to log on to the official recruitment portal—npfapplication.psc.gov.ng—to check their status and print…
By Peter Obi Recent World Bank reports indicate that Nigeria is now its number 3 debtor, with obligations estimated at roughly $18.7 billion. Bangladesh is the number one with $23 billion. I continue to emphasise that there’s nothing inherently wrong with borrowing. Nations borrow to improve productivity and stimulate growth. Debt becomes a problem only when it finances consumption, inefficiency, or corruption rather than investment as is our own case. To understand the difference, it is useful to compare outcomes. Around 2015, Bangladesh’s nominal GDP stood at roughly $195 billion, with per-capita income slightly above $1,235. By 2024–2025, its economy…
Barely 24 hours after the Abia State Government announced a favourable arbitral award in the dispute over the Enyimba Economic City (EEC) project, the Center for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has called for a comprehensive audit of the state’s public-private partnership (PPP) agreements and the public release of the full judgement. The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Okoye Chuka Peter, on Tuesday, commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti for successfully defending the state against what it described as “substantial monetary claims” reportedly running…
The commitment of Governor Umo Eno’s administration to women’s inclusiveness and economic empowerment took center stage on Monday during the state government’s ‘Women Arise’ sensitization tour in Eket Local Government Area. Speaking at the event, held at Eket City Hall, the Akwa Ibom State Representative on the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, commended Governor Eno for his deliberate policies aimed at improving the lives of women in the state. Apostle Nkono described the Governor’s initiatives as evidence of his dedication to ensuring that women become self-reliant and economically productive. “The Governor has shown,…
It was a gathering of Akwa Ibom political heavyweights and the faithful of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area on Tuesday as the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative formally inaugurated its chapter in the area. The event, which was held at the council headquarters, witnessed the official installation of chapter executives in the presence of party stakeholders. President General of the initiative, Engr. Uwem Okoko, performed the inauguration. Addressing the gathering, he outlined the group’s vision of expanding the party’s reach through inclusive engagement, urging the new executives to take ownership of the party’s message…
Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative has officially launched its statewide tour, making its first stop in the Ika Local Government Area. The event, which was held at the Ika Local Government Council Hall, drew a large crowd of government officials, party faithful, and residents of the area. In his welcome address, Hon. Barr. Utibe Nwoko, Executive Chairman of the Ika Local Government Council, expressed his people’s readiness to work for the party’s success. He described Ika as a stronghold for the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the party was pleased to welcome the initiative to Ika as it commenced…
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission released the timetable for the 2027 general elections. The signing took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, around 5:00 pm on Wednesday, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance. The National Assembly had passed the bill on Tuesday. The amendment reignites debates over the electronic transmission of election results. Civil society groups and some opposition figures have long pushed for real-time transmission of results from polling units to INEC’s central server, arguing it would curb manipulation and…