Author: News Editor
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) deserves commendation for its efforts to ensure that employers comply with Nigeria’s pension laws and that workers’ retirement savings are protected. However, the recent introduction of a charge of ₦100,161.25 for the generation of a Pension Compliance Certificate (PCC) deserves urgent reconsideration, particularly because of its potential impact on contractors and small and medium-sized businesses. According to affected contractors, the Pension Compliance Certificate was obtainable without this charge earlier in the year, but applicants are now being required to pay ₦100,161.25, described as the amount payable for PCC certificate generation. While the importance of pension…
By Ndifreke Bassey, Newsday Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commissioned the newly rebuilt Methodist Model Primary School, Ikot Abia Idem, in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, giving the 115-year-old institution a new lease of life. Established in 1911, the school had over the years suffered structural deterioration before the state government embarked on its comprehensive reconstruction as part of efforts to upgrade basic education infrastructure across the state. Representing the Governor at the commissioning ceremony, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, who attended the school between 1962 and 1967, said the transformation of the institution brought back nostalgic memories of…
…Gratuity Payments Rise To ₦97.038bn Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the release of ₦3.909 billion for the payment of the 2026 Leave Grants to civil servants in the state. The approval, amounting to ₦3,909,182,952.65, is part of the administration’s sustained efforts to improve workers’ welfare and enhance conditions of service under the ARISE Agenda. The State Government said the 2026 Leave Grants would be paid in three tranches, beginning in September, with subsequent payments scheduled for October and November. According to the government, the phased payment is intended to provide financial relief to civil servants while…
…Unveils ARISE Youth Development Centre in Etinan …Targets 31,000 Youths Yearly By Ndifreke Bassey Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development, skills acquisition and economic empowerment with the inauguration of the ARISE Youth Development Centre in Etinan Local Government Area. The Centre is one of the youth development hubs being established across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State to provide young people, particularly those in rural communities, with access to skills training, entrepreneurship opportunities, innovation and other support systems aimed at promoting self-reliance and economic participation. Speaking on Tuesday, September…
As Akwa Ibom State celebrates its 39th anniversary, Governor Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, is using the occasion to showcase the achievements of his administration through the daily commissioning of completed projects across the state. The ongoing commissioning exercise, which has taken the Governor, the Deputy Governor, members of the State Executive Council and other government officials to different local government areas, has provided another opportunity for Akwa Ibom people to witness the impact of the ARISE Agenda at the grassroots. From roads and schools to healthcare facilities, youth development infrastructure and erosion control projects, the interventions cut across critical sectors…
By Ndifreke Bassey, Newsday The Executive Chairman of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. Uno Etim Uno, has commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for providing critical road infrastructure to the Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited at Etebi in Esit Eket Local Government Area. Uno stated this after joining his colleague, the Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Uduak Ikemesit Ikot, and other stakeholders at the commissioning of the 1.35-kilometre Main Access and Internal Roads to the Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited. He described the project as more than a road infrastructure, saying…
The Federal Government has paid ₦18 billion in outstanding severance benefits to former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways, bringing relief to thousands of beneficiaries who have waited for years to receive their entitlements. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that the payment was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to settling legitimate outstanding obligations owed to Nigerians. According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, payments have been concluded for 2,100 beneficiaries across Batches 1 to 7, while the processing of payments for another 600 beneficiaries under Batches 8 and 9 is being…
Commissions 2.1km Internal Roads at Obong University, Etim Ekpo By Ndifreke Bassey Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has further demonstrated his commitment to inclusive governance with the commissioning of 2.1 kilometres of internal roads at Obong University, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. The road project, commissioned on Thursday as part of activities marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, is expected to ease movement within the university environment and improve access for students, staff, visitors and members of the host community. Representing the Governor at the ceremony, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe…
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has rejected allegations by Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) of lopsided distribution of employment opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in Akwa Ibom State. Ekpo, through his spokesman, Louis Ibah, said the document upon which MMI based its allegation did not emanate from his office and carried neither the official letterhead nor seal of the Minister’s office. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ibah expressed disappointment that MMI, which he described as a respected socio-cultural organisation committed to the peace, unity and collective interests of Akwa Ibom State,…
A grassroots politician in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Edet Isong (Windy) has condemned the foremost socio-cultural organisation of Ibibio people, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) for attacking the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, challenging the organization to publish employment scorecards of past ministers since 1999. Chief Isong, Okete Okete, former Chairman of Urue/Offong Oruko Local Government Area described as an unfortunate attempt by the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) to turn an employment intervention into an ethnic and senatorial controversy. Chief Isong said it was particularly disturbing that such a narrative was being promoted at a time when…