Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom Governor Urges Diaspora To Champion Tourism, Investment, Cultural Preservation
Akwa Ibom Governor Urges Diaspora To Champion Tourism, Investment, Cultural Preservation
Akwa Ibom governor urges diaspora to champion tourism, investment, cultural preservation.…Pledges to Host 2026 AKISAN Convention in Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called on the Akwa Ibom diaspora in the United States to leverage their skills, professional networks, and resources to drive tourism, investment, and cultural heritage promotion in their home state. The Governor made this known in a message delivered by Noble Lady Helen Obareki, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, during the 38th Annual Convention of the Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, USA, Inc. (AKISAN), held at the Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Virginia.
Extending warm felicitations to attendees at the Convention Gala, Governor Eno commended AKISAN for sustaining the state’s cultural values and fostering unity among Akwa Ibom indigenes abroad. He urged members to adopt a model of “backward integration,” similar to other diaspora communities like the Chinese and Indians, by channeling education, technology, and business connections toward the state’s socio-economic growth.
“How can you bring investments, transfer technology, and use your platforms to promote our state’s rich tourism potential?” the Governor asked, citing attractions such as Ikot Abasi’s historic castle, ONNA’s pottery industry, and Ikot Ekpene’s raffia craft as untapped goldmines.
Governor Eno spotlighted Dr. Itawan James, a US-trained professional who returned home to spearhead the world-class Arise Senior Citizens’ Centre, now set for commissioning. He challenged other diaspora members to emulate her example of service and impact.
In a major announcement, the Governor expressed readiness to host the 2026 AKISAN Convention in Uyo, urging the association to begin immediate planning with the State Government. He also redeemed his $5,000 pledge from last year’s convention to the winner of a native dialect competition, reinforcing his passion for preserving indigenous language.
Highlighting his administration’s tourism-focused projects, Governor Eno revealed plans for the Arise Resorts, a mini-Disneyland with luxury facilities, alongside a 5,000-seater international conference centre, a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, and a world-class hospital.
AKISAN President, Engr. Mbong Ekiko, in his remarks, appreciated the Governor for consistently identifying with the association and for sending a five-person delegation to represent the State at the 38th Convention.
He assured that AKISAN would continue to work closely with the state government to deepen the implementation of the Arise Agenda and support the government’s laudable projects and programmes.
The convention also featured a Governor’s Townhall Meeting, where the accomplishments of the Eno-led administration over the past two years were presented by the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah.
Umo Eno
Highlights of the three-day event included the Women’s Summit, Children’s Summit, and Business and Technology Summit, all aimed at fostering empowerment, skills development, and innovation within the Akwa Ibom diaspora community.
The State delegation to the event comprised Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information; Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Former Secretary to the State Government; Dr. Inemesit Uwah, Wife of the Secretary to the State Government; and Dr. Itawan James, Delivery Advisor of the Arise Senior Citizens’ Centre.
The 2025 AKISAN Convention attracted Akwa Ibom people from different parts of the United States and Nigeria, uniting the global Akwa Ibom family in a celebration of heritage, achievement, and a shared vision for the state’s future.
Akwa Ibom Indigenes Protest RMAFC Meeting, Warn Against Tampering With State’s Oil Wells
Akwa Ibom indigenes protest RMAFC meeting, warn against tampering with State’s Oil Wells. Akwa Ibom indigenes resident in Abuja on Tuesday stormed the venue of a meeting of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), where the Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) on Disputed/New Oil Wells was sitting, to protest what they described as attempts to reopen a matter already settled by the Supreme Court.
The protesters cautioned that no individual or agency should tamper with Akwa Ibom State’s 76 oil wells, stressing that the ownership of the wells was conclusively determined in favour of the state by the Supreme Court in 2012.
They insisted that any move to revisit the issue through administrative or technical processes would amount to a disregard for the authority of the apex court and could undermine peace in the Niger Delta region.
Akwa Ibom State was formally represented at the IATC meeting by a high-powered delegation comprising leading legal practitioners, government officials and technocrats. Members of the delegation included Paul Usoro, SAN; Assam Assam, SAN; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN; Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN; Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN; and a former Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State.
Akwa Ibom Indigenes Protest RMAFC Meeting
Also on the state’s delegation were the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Bob, Former Attorney General and Commissioner Justice, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim; the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah; Honourable Member representing Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Dr Patrick Umoh, among others.
The delegation is expected to present Akwa Ibom State’s position before the committee, reiterating that the Supreme Court judgment remains final and binding, and urging all relevant federal agencies to respect and uphold the ruling.
PVC, APC E-Registration: Umo Eno Charges Constituents To Embrace Exercises
PVC, APC e-registration: Umo Eno charges constituents to embrace exercises. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged indigenes and residents of Ibiakpan Obotim Ward II, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, as well as others across the state, to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and APC membership e-registration exercise, as, according to him, it is crucial for validating party membership and ensuring their voices are heard.
Addressing a crowd of APC members and supporters at his hometown, Ikot Ekpene Udo, the Governor said that boosting both registrations is also critical to attracting more dividends, programmes, and welfare to the area.
“More party membership in a particular Ward implies more allocation of the party’s welfare to the place. And, I enjoin you to step up the membership numbers in order to be significant and relevant in the party’s scheme of things,” he noted.
The Governor directed the people to ensure that they register appropriately with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to have their Permanent Voters Cards, PVC, and become eligible to participate in future electoral exercises.
“No matter how populated you are in your party, if you don’t have your PVC, such a party population will be meaningless because your vote would not be counted as expected.
Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno
“So, I urge you to take these things very seriously and act accordingly for you and our people to be qualified to participate adequately in the upcoming elections,” he stressed.
Having gone round during the day to inspect the ongoing 120-metre Ofriyo–Eket Bridge and the 2.5 kilometre dual carriageway connecting Eket and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas, and the ongoing General Hospital project in Ikot Ekpene Udo, the Governor enjoined the people to fully support the projects and other developmental initiatives of the administration for the overall benefit of the local government are
Police Arrests Suspected Car Snatcher, Recover Stolen Vehicle In Akwa Ibom
Police arrests suspected car snatcher, recover stolen cehicle in Akwa Ibom. The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected car thief and recovered a stolen vehicle in a swift operation in Uyo.
According to a statement released by the Command and signed by DSP Timfon John, LLB, Anipr, Police Public Relations Officer.
The incident occurred on 20th January 2026 around 11:30 pm, when operatives on routine night patrol along Godswill Akpabio International Stadium responded to a distress call from a man, a Bolt driver, who reported that his Toyota Corolla had been stolen at gunpoint.
Police quickly traced the stolen vehicle to Nkwot Ikono Village, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of Sunday Okon, a resident of Nna Enin Village, Uruan Local Government Area.
The suspect, who was found in possession of the stolen Toyota Corolla (registration DKA 337 CB) reportedly confessed to the crime during preliminary interrogation.
The Police Command said that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang and recover their weapons.
Police Arrests
Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare fsi, commended the prompt response and professionalism of the officers, reassuring residents of the Command’s commitment to combating violent crimes and protecting lives and property across the state.
The public has been urged to remain vigilant and provide timely information to assist police operations.
-
Crime9 months agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News10 months agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Crime12 months agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
News12 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News11 months agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy9 months agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?