LIVENEWSGUNS

  By Emma Akpabio At a time when life expectancy in Nigeria remains relatively low and access to structured elderly care is limited, Governor Umo Eno is charting a new course in elders’ welfare with the completion of the ultra-modern ARISE Senior Citizens Centre, a defining milestone in social welfare that underscores his administration’s deep commitment to the wellbeing, dignity, and active living of elderly citizens. Handled by indigenous construction giant, U & K Engineering Limited, the purpose-built facility caters specifically to senior citizens aged 65 and above. It represents a bold and compassionate shift in how ageing is supported in the state. More than just a recreational space, the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre integrates healthcare, wellness, enterprise, leisure, and spiritual support within a serene and secure environment in Uyo. Located along the Uyo - Ikot Ekpene Road within the emerging ARISE Medical Corridor, the centre is designed as a daytime wellness hub wh...

  …Aesthetics, Engineering Excellence — NSE Abak By Ifiokabasi Abia Uyo, Akwa Ibom State — The Managing Director of Bulletin Construction Company, Chief Faysal Harb, has commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its foresight in transforming the state’s environmental challenges into a hub of tourism and economic opportunities through the ARISE Resort Park project. Speaking during an excursion by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Abak Branch, to the ARISE Resort Park in Uyo, Chief Harb described the project as *“a perfect example of turning waste to wealth.”* He explained that the site, once a vast expanse of degraded land plagued by gully erosion that threatened the School of Nursing, Nwaniba, has now become Nigeria’s first and finest recreational resort. “Our work is to build structures and hand them over to the Akwa Ibom State Government. This area was once waste land, riddled with erosion and flooding from Ewet Housing Estate. We redirected the flood and reclaimed the ...

  By Clement Warrie On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, after returning from the flag-off ceremony for the ARISE Youth Friendly Center in Nsit Ubium, I decided to make a brief stopover at the Tropicana Mall on Udoudoma Avenue to pick up some groceries. As I exited the mall, my ears were pricked by the sibilance of heavy construction work at the Ibom International Hotel, located less than 400 meters within the 82-hectares of the Tropicana complex.  Drawn by curiosity, I skirted around the mall to the construction site. It was a busy hive of industry, swarming with haulage trucks, day laborers, engineers, and safety professionals in reflective gear. And towering over it all was the gigantic 14-storey hotel building, wrapped in skeletal scaffolding. A few men as little as birds, perched on the steel framework, while a massive crane arched close to the building. For over 15 years, this 200-room, abandoned 14-storey hotel stood in infamy, with its massive grey concrete and sun-bleached ...

. . . Tackle economic challenges at grassroots  "Teach us how to fish and we will never lack fish." This age-long adage captures the enduring philosophy of the Niger Delta people. The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) was established to tackle economic challenges at the grassroots and promote sustainable development across the region. Its mission is to create economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, and local industrial growth. NDCCITMA seeks to collaborate and engage with major industries to establish vocational and technical training centres throughout the Niger Delta.  These centres will focus on under-water welding, gas welding, agricultural innovation, and other vocational trades, reducing dependence on imports while harnessing the region’s abundant resources.  This initiative aims to fight poverty, improve food security, and drive inclusive economic progress. The Niger Delta Development Commi...

  The Executive Chairman of ONNA Local Government Area, Hon. Kufre Umoren, has expressed profound gratitude to the youths of the area for their support, describing them as the "backbone" of his administration. Hon. Umoren made the remarks on Saturday, October 11, 2025, while hosting all Village Youth Presidents of ONNA at his family residence in Ikot Ese Ishiet, as part of activities marking his first anniversary in office. In his address, the Chairman commended the youths for embracing peaceful dialogue rather than violence in addressing community issues and assured them that his administration remains committed to promoting youth empowerment and inclusive development. "I wouldn’t be standing here as Executive Chairman if you had not spoken with one voice in support of me," he said. "Your unity made it possible for the elders to adopt me as the youth slot. And that is why I have come to say thank you. This David you chose to make king in the house of Jesse wil...

  ‎ ‎The Executive Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, Hon. (Mrs.) Ime Effiong Charles, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, hosted a Stakeholders’ Engagement to mark her one year in office, during which she presented a detailed scorecard of her administration’s achievements across key sectors. ‎ ‎The event, held at Skytop Hotel, Ediene Abak, brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, clerics, and representatives from all five clans of the area. It began with prayers and words of exhortation by Rev. Idongesit Inyang, Area Superintendent, Qua Iboe Church Abak Field, who committed the administration to God’s guidance for greater accomplishments ahead. ‎ ‎In her address, Hon. Charles described her first year in office as “a journey of service, reflection, and renewed commitment,” anchored on the B.E.S.T Agenda – Building Infrastructure, Empowerment, Security, and Transparency – in alignment with Governor Umo Eno’s A.R.I.S.E Agenda. ‎ ‎She said her administration had worked ...

 NIGERIANS SHOULD EXPECT AFFORDABLE DIASPORA HOUSING BEFORE DECEMBERS 2026 -  MD/CEO FHA   The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) saddle with responsibility of providing affordable housing for Nigerians have sealed a new partnership on the Diaspora Housing Project is to develop 5000 affordable housing units for Akwa Ibom people. The project which is an initiative of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government is aimed at providing affordable housing for civil servants in the country with flexible payment plan. Speaking at Novone Dream  garden estate, Uyo last weekend , the Managing Director of FHA  and Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Oyetunde. Ojo, Said Federal Housing Authority, FHA saddle with responsibility of providing affordable housing for Nigerians. In his words, "Talking about the economic benefits such as creating employment, and all the other areas that you have talked about, we will give you all the necessary support for the benefit of our peopl...

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has declared readiness of the State government to partner with the Nigerian Army to provide affordable housing for personnel which they continue to use on retirement  Thew Governor made this known during a courtesy visit by a team of the Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL), led by the MD/CEO, Major General J. D. Omali. Governor Eno commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja, for the initiative which he described as laudable adding that it was necessary to provide such facility for post-service retirement given the nature of tremendous service they render to the nation. According to him, "I am a security-conscious person. I belong to the security community and I am always worried when I see our people go through all they go through and when they retire, within three months of exit, they are given three months to leave the barracks, and the question is always, "to where?" "This is a very l...

  GOV ENO APPRECIATES AKWA IBOMITES ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ELECTION Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has thanked the people of Akwa Ibom State on the occasion of the first anniversary of the massive victory they gave him exactly one year ago, today at the Gubernatorial polls. In a message of appreciation released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno said, “it was exactly one year ago today, that you, our dear and resourceful people rose in unison and accorded us a massive victory to continue the expansion and deepening of good and people-centric governance. “Let me once again thank you for the faith and hope you invested in my capacity to steer the Ship of this great and wonderful Land of Promise.  "We will continue to hold this sacred mandate in trust for you and do all that is necessary and proper to advance our growth and development “I thank you for your prayers and support for what we have been able to collectively achieve together so far....

  By Joe Iniodu There seems to be no end to the new wave of change that has greeted the Niger Delta  Development Commission (NDDC) under the supervision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and  under the watch of Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON.  On September 28, 2021, the Commission delivered 67 flats to the Nigeria Police Special Protection Unit, Base 6, Omagwa in Rivers State. The sprawling structure also has other complementary features to give it that contemporary edge of sync with modernity.  From Omagwa in Rivers State, the next likely port of call which would attract yet another array of movers and shakers is Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, where NDDC is again set to deliver another landmark social investment; the construction of a 1000 bed space, which would accommodate students of the University of Uyo.  The edifice which is at about 98% completion, bears the architectural brand of NDDC headquarters building with the façade, design and aesthetics serving...

  ...CLEB M-543 WEATHER CONTROL EXPERIMENT EXTENDED   Who says weather cannot be controlled technologically? I have clearly demonstrated that it is possible to control weather to prevent excessive rain and flood.  I can best describe this weather control experiment as a scintillating success.   Due to popular demand, I have decided to extend the test run of upgraded version of CLEB M-543 WEATHER CONTROL experiment by four days. The mega version of our weather control device was initially programmed to cover five states namely Abia State, Akwa Ibom State, Cross River State, Imo State and Rivers State.  Furthermore, few days into the program which started on 2nd August, 2020, I raised the energy field to cover the whole country Nigeria. We initially planned to round up the experiment today 20th August, 2020, but due to popular demand I have decided to round up the MEGA CLEB M-543 WEATHER CONTROL EXPERIMENT on the evening of 24th August, 2020. If you make...

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon, has said that the 2021 Budget should be  focused on critical issues like Health and Agriculture to ensure food sufficiency and affordability as well as programmes that will touch the lives of the poor and vulnerable in the society. Mr. Okon made this emphasy when delegation of the State House of Assembly led by the Clark, Mrs. Mandu Umoren attended  the 2021 Capital Budget Bilateral Discussion at the Conference Room of the Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport. The Commissioner added that through it the state will have enough foodstuffs and sound health care service to all Akwa Ibomites.

President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his promise that no part of the Country will suffer any neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration by commissioning and handing over of Ibiaku  Utit - Uruan Route erosion Control works at Uruan/Uyo Local Government Area in Akwa lbom State, Saturday ,18th January , 2020. Hon.Minister of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio represented President Muhammad Buhari in the commissioning of the 1.069Bn Naira  Project executed by the Ecological Fund Office of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. According to the Minister, the Federal Government intervention will bring a huge relief to the Nduetong Oku & lkot Usene Communities who have not been able to access their properties due to serious flooding, gully erosion and enviromental degradation. Akpabio stated that the Project has set the stage for remedial measures expected to stabilize the socio...

... AS FG APPROVED N5.5 BILLION TRAINING FUND FOR 60,000 BENEFICIARIES The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N5.5bn for the training of 12,000 unemployed youth in the country under the N-Power social intervention programme. The approval was granted during the FEC meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting lasted for three hours. Briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma, said the youth would be selected from the six geo-political zones of the country. He said the training which will last for nine months, will enable the beneficiaries assemble, repair and maintain electronic products such as mobile phones, competing devices, among others. Udoma, said the programme was open to all unemployed youth, irrespective of their educational background. He said the training of each of the beneficiaries will cost, N259,000. At the end of the tr...

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the sum of N6.17 billion for augmentation of the contract for the construction of Ikot-Ekpene border-Aba-Owerri Road, Section 1, Phase 1. Alh. Suleiman Zarma, the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Zarma said that the contract was awarded in 2012, but the augmentation had to come following some observations by the contractor. “FEC has given approval for the augmentation of the contract for construction of Ikot-Ekpene border-Aba-Owerri Road, Section 1, Phase 1 and the length is 11.26km. “The contract was awarded in 2012 to Arab Contractors at the cost of N3.78bn; it came up for augmentation because the contractor actually observed some failures in the contract around some sections of the road. Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has expressed readines...

Akwa Ibom state has the second highest unemployment rate in the country under Udom Emmanuel The National bureau of statistics has released employment statistics, which show the oil rich Akwa Ibom State having the second highest unemployment rates at 36.58%. In spite of the massive oil revenues accruing to the state, and the industries that the Governor has claimed to be building, the unemployment numbers in the state have been climbing over the last four years. Emmanuel Ekong, a young man that our reporter met on Ikot Ekpene road complained loudly: “The Governor is building industries that nobody can see. They say we have toothpick factory, that we have tomato factory, but nobody is working in those factories and nobody is buying from those factories. In short, I do not believe any of this - I have never even see a photo of these factories”. The numbers on unemployment are further corroborated by numbers on mobile phone connectivity as released by the NCC - Akwa Ibom is one...

For the last three years, Udom Emmanuel does not seem to have been very active in terms of infrastructure. And because of that, the prospect of losing re-election are now looming. Luckily for Akwa Ibomites, the NDDC stepped in to fill the gaps. After Nsima Ekere was appointed MD of the NDDC, an unprecedented investment in infrastructure started. The NDDC under Nsima started investing in internal roads across Akwa Ibom. Continuing the major highways that Akpabio had built in his tenure, the smaller roads that joined them started rapidly being built by NDDC and Nsima Ekere. When Udom saw that, he started also trying to do his - but like they say: too little and too late. While Akpabio built 1,300 kilometres of roads, Udom has barely built anything! Would it not benefit us more to have builders in power? People who have a track record of delivering infrastructure projects? I personally think so - we need to move away from the talkers to doers!

IFIOKABASI ABIA ONE is the acronym for OBONG NSIMA EKERE. He is the standard bearer of All Progressive Congress, APC. He has five points agenda that would better the lives of the good people of Akwa Ibom State. This agenda include: Economic prosperity, infrastructure and rural development, education, health and social protection, security, governance and institutional reforms. The economic prosperity is a virgin peg, a priority of priorities seeking to put and end to mundane plights such as unemployment, abject poverty and youths restiveness. Base on the global best practices, like entrepreneurship mechanism will check mate the alarming rate of unemployment and underemployment. This implies that the unemployed will be employer of labor and delivery of work force at a glance. The entrepreneurship mechanism is the sure way to create wealth. It would reduce the tension and pressure on government for direct employment. It is what Robert Kiyosaki postulated in ...

Ukanafun agog as Governor Udom Emmanuel flags off 15km road project By Osondu Ahirika Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has flagged off the construction of the 15.0 km Ikot Akpan Afaha-ikot Oku Usung road with spurs in Ukanafun. Represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen, Governor Emmanuel said the road will when completed be linked to the roads constructed from ikot Ibiritam -Ikot Ekaide to ikot Akpan Afaha. The governor warned the contractor not to do any shabby work as that will not be Accepted, while also charging the people, especially youths not to disrupt the workby intimidating the contractor or making unnecessary demands from the contractor , and therefore charged them to protect the contractor and cooperate with him to complete the work on schedule. The governor pledged to address the concerns raised by the people, and gave assurance that, with the restoration of peace in Ukanafun, development will take place and the outstanding issue...

IME OKON'S ANNUAL QUIZ COMPETITION AWARD CEREMONY HOLDS TOMMORROW Enwono-Abasi Elisha The prize giving day for winners of the Sixth and Seventh editions of the Ime Okon's Annual Quiz Competition of Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools holds tomorrow, Wednesday, 28th November, 2018. The event which will take place at Union Secondary School, Ibiaku, Ibiono Ibom LGA will mark the seventh year of Rt. Hon. (Barr) Ime Bassey Okon sponsoring the programme. Speaking to Journalists in Uyo, the Ibiono Ibom representative in the State Asaembly, Barr. Okon disclosed that a seasoned academic, Prof Okon Ifut will be the Chairman on the occasion. Also in attendance will be eminent sons and daughters of the State in the academia, members of the State House of Assembly, Royal Fathers, political and business class, Parents and Guardians, among others. The Ibiono Ibom Lawmaker who is also the Deputy Leader of the Sixth Assembly, said the aim of the exercise was to support th...