Some of the beneficiaries displaying their Cheques.

By Anietie Akpan

Governor Uno Eno of Akwa Ibom state has splashed N335m for Oro Farmersand Entrepreneurs as he intensifies his empowerment drive in the state.

This happened on Saturday, April 5, at the Town Square meeting organized to afford Oron Federal Constituency opportunity to avail the Governor of their needs, which turned out to be another empowerment avenue as several indigenes smiled home with cash grants.

The cash totaling N335, were given to traders, farmers and business owners in the five local government areas of the federal constituency, including Oron, Okobo, Udung Uko, Urue Offong Oruko and Mbo.

N51 million went to 108 farmers from the N2 billion farmers loan, 543 business men and women got N225 million while 10 entrepreneurs received N5million each.

In a statement from his media unit, the Governor at the occasion, said the presentations were done in line with his government’s policy of entrepreneurial and agricultural development.

He said, “We have received the needs documents and we’re going to look at it local government by local government and work with it as it will form part of the 2026 budget christened ‘The People’s Budget.

“As you know, there are 31 local government areas and even if we cannot execute all the projects on this document, we will make sure we execute at least one from each of the five local government areas.

“Because we swore to be fair to all, we will not leave any federal constituency in the state behind.”

Governor Eno who expressed delight at the progress of the 14km Airport – Nsit Atai -Okobo Road, commended the contractor, Hensek Integrated Services, for the pace of work.

Gov. Umo Eno (centre), his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi (left) dancing at the ceremony on Saturday.

“That road has seen three successful governments and has been used for campaigns, but today with the finishers anointing that God has given us, that road will be commissioned soon.”

The Governor used the occasion to announce that, “very soon, we shall be flagging off the construction of city gate into the Ibom deep seaport project and the sales centre.”

Commending the massive turnout at the Stadium, Governor Eno urged people to keep faith with their representatives as the Needs documents would capture virtually the priority needs of the people of the constituency.

The Deputy Governor, an indigene of the area, Senator Akon Eyakenyi expressed appreciation for everything the Governor has done for her people and assured them that even more are on course under the ARISE Agenda.

“The Governor is very passionate about Oro and he has promised to do more. Everything I ask him, he is always very willing to do it for us in Oro. Thank you for loving me and my people”, she said, while also thanking everyone who made the occasion a success.

Earlier while setting the tone for the engagements, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah said that, “we are here to listen to the Oro people, and get to know what their needs are, so that they can be captured in the 2026 budget.

“You are going to have the ARISE traders’ grants, the ARISE Farmers’ Grants, and the ARISE MSMEs grants.

“For the love you have shown the Governor, I can assure you that he will show you more love in return from now till 2031.”

The SSG who particularly expressed joy over the progress at the Airport – Nsit Atai – Okobo Road, assured that was among the 52 projects by the Governor in the area.

Crowd of heads at the ceremony 

In their presentation, the leaders of Oron Federal Constituency, who spoke through Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, eulogized the Governor for working hard to “depopulate the kingdom of the devil.

“Our people shall stand by you in appreciation of your excellent performance across the entire State, and in Oron Federal Constituency in particular.”

The stakeholders thereafter cladded the Governor in their traditional regalia of wrapper and cap to show their appreciation for all of his gestures to their people.

This was followed by a vote of confidence by the lawmakers from the federal constituency, following a motion by federal Lawmaker Martin Esin and seconded by Chief Effiong Johnson, the Chief Whip of the State Assembly.

In his goodwill message, Sir Essang Nsa Bassey, President General of Oron Union expressed appreciation to the Governor on the numerous completed and ongoing projects and assured the Governor of their continued support come 2027.

Speaking for the royal fathers, the Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko and Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet expressed the support of royal fathers to the Governor for a second term in office, for ‘walking the talk’ in his development agenda for the people.

The local government chairmen, led by Hon Uno Etim Uno, chairman of Urue Offong Oruko local government area, also lend their voices in support of the government of Pastor Eno and promised to stand by him for eight uninterrupted years

High-points of the event was the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, Senator Ekong Sampson and PDP State Chairman, Aniekan Akpan.

Late Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council on Friday paid  a condolence visit to the family of late Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey a veteran journalist who led the council between 1978 and 1982.

Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, commiserated with the family noting that Etubom Bassey was “a pillar of journalism in the state before his demise”.

Bassey said recently when the union unveiled the hall of fame in the council Secretariat, Etubom Bassey was included as one of those who ensured that the council was a force to reckon with in the state.

According to her, “when Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey was the chairman of the council and he introduced innovations that promoted the ideals of the union.

“The union is still standing tall today because the leaders that came after him followed through and did not allow his legacies die,” she said.

She added that the council will be available for any assistance that the family may require .

Responding on behalf of the family, his daughter, Ekanem Ekpo Bassey thanked the union for the visit noting that their father was a through bred Journalist who was still writing even during his last days on earth.

While thanking the union for the effort at immortalising him, she appealed to the Union to create reports on the life and times of the deceased to enable those who didn’t meet him to see his Journalistic prowess.

At the visit were veteran journalists like the Publisher and Editor in Chief of Glimmer Newspaper, Mr. Charles Eniang; Publisher and Editor in Chief of Pillar Today Newspaper, Comrade Anietie Akpan; former National Vice President of the NUJ, Zone F, Dr. Effiong Okon; Publisher and Editor in Chief of Median Newspaper, Comrade James Ebri; the Editor in Chief of Nigeria Chronicle Newspaper, Comrade Florence Oluohu; the Auditor of the Council, Mrs. Benedine Anam Tete; Mr. Ubon Ekanem of Frontline Newspaper and many others.

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

By Anietie Akpan

The allegations against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio by Mr. Elisha Abbo blaming the former for his ouster from the Senate has been described as “spurious, malicious and baseless”.

Special Adviser, Media/Publicity and official Spokesperson to the President of the Senate, Rt Hon Eseme Eyiboh in statement dated April 3, said Abbo, unlawfully represented Adamawa North Senatorial District until he was sacked by the court.

Eyiboh said Abbo has again sought to blame the President of the Senate for the travail of his judicial sanction that occasioned his ouster from the Senate and “it is sad and regrettable that despite publicly retracting a similar allegation in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was ‘premature and based on the available information at our disposa’, Mr. Abbo has once again embarked on a campaign of misinformation and blame transfer”.

He said, “following a discussion with the Senate President last year, Mr. Abbo himself acknowledged that Senator Akpabio had ‘no involvement’ in the judicial process that led to his removal. It is puzzling that he would now return to the same baseless allegations he once renounced.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was in error. The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed.

“The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes”.

Eyiboh said, “it is therefore both illogical and irresponsible for Mr. Abbo to now turn around and allege that the Senate President influenced a court judgment—a judgment which he himself accepted at the time and for which he expressed contrition for his earlier unfounded claims. ( see Punch newspaper of 18th October, 2023).

“Mr. Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster. He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio”.

In matters of financial and administrative processing, he said, it must be stated that the Senate President only approves payments that have been duly vetted and forwarded by the appropriate administrative units, in line with extant laws, Senate procedures, and standard due diligence practices.

“If any of Mr. Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards—not because of any personal or political vendetta.

“It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr. Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing. Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja—an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay N50 million in damages. This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition.

“His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant. These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust”, Eyiboh stated.

Senator Godswill Akpabio, he said, “remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions—especially the independence of the judiciary. He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.

“We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life. Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth”.