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Akwa Ibom Lawmaker Empowers 61 Constituents With N15.25m Grants

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Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom Lawmaker Empowers 61 Constituents With N15.25m Grants

Akwa Ibom lawmaker empowers 61 constituents with N15.25m grants. The member representing Essien Udim State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Ukpong Akpabio II, has empowered 61 constituents with grants totalling over N15.25 million.

The beneficiaries were empowered under the first phase of the Prince Ukpong Akpabio II Business and Agric Grant Scheme.
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Speaking while flagging off the empowerment programme in Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area, on Monday, the lawmaker said each beneficiary would receive N250,000 to support and expand his or her business or agricultural venture.

The event, which coincided with Akpabio’s third anniversary as a member of the State House of Assembly, attracted an array of stakeholders, including current and former political office holders, community leaders, youth representatives and party stalwarts.

“In furtherance of the ARISE Agenda of our Governor, Umo Eno, today, 61 beneficiaries of this empowerment programme will receive the sum of N250,000 each under the Prince Ukpong Akpabio II Business and Agric Grant Scheme to support and expand their business ventures,” Akpabio said.

He explained that the initiative was designed to fulfil his campaign promise to empower young people and enhance economic opportunities for his constituents.

According to him, the grant complements the educational, youth empowerment and human capacity development programmes being championed by Governor Umo Eno under the ARISE Agenda, as well as the empowerment initiatives of President Bola Tinubu and the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The lawmaker disclosed that a monitoring committee had been constituted to oversee the utilisation of the grants and ensure that beneficiaries invest the funds in productive ventures capable of strengthening and expanding their businesses.

Akpabio said the empowerment programme would continue in phases to promote entrepreneurship, agricultural development and economic self-reliance among his constituents.

He also highlighted his legislative achievements over the past three years, revealing that he had sponsored 10 bills and moved more than 20 motions, alongside carrying out oversight functions and maintaining close engagement with constituents.

Providing details of the selection process, the Chairman of the Business and Agric Grant Committee, Engr. Enobong Patrick explained that five beneficiaries were selected from each of the 11 wards in Essien Udim Local Government Area, while an additional six beneficiaries were chosen under the Special Consideration Category, largely comprising persons with disabilities.

Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom

In his remarks, the State Publicity Secretary of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Paul Ibara, who led other youth leaders to the event, commended Prince Akpabio for what he described as people-oriented representation.

Ibara praised the lawmaker’s legislative contributions, empowerment initiatives and constituency projects, including the construction of three Compassionate Homes, noting that the interventions had positively impacted many residents.

The ceremony was attended by several prominent sons and daughters of Essien Udim, including the APC State Secretary, Envoy Nsentip Akpabio; former members of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Sunday Akpan and Hon. Suyiekekere Inokon, former member of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nse Ntuen, former Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, Barr. Martin Umanah, and the Secretary of Essien Udim Local Government Council, Dr Margaret Udofia, among others.
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Davido: I’m a Die-Hard Cristiano Ronaldo Fan, we Chat Regularly

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Cristiano Ronaldo

Davido: I’m a Die-Hard Cristiano Ronaldo Fan, we Chat Regularly

Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has declared himself a dedicated Cristiano Ronaldo fan and claimed that he regularly communicates with the football legend.
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Davido disclosed this during a livestream with content creator and streamer, Carter Efe.

The ‘If’ singer said he supported Portugal to win the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup because of his connections with players in the national team.

“Because I have a lot of friends in the Portuguese team. I want Portugal to win,” Davido said.

When Efe suggested it was because of Ronaldo, the singer replied, “I love Ronaldo, I’m a CR7 fan.”

Davido further claimed that he has ongoing conversations with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, saying in Pidgin English that he talks to the “legend back to back.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo, Davido

Efe reacted with visible excitement, repeatedly exclaiming:

“God, I don mad! I don mad! I don mad! I don mad!”

The clip has since circulated widely on social media.

Davido has previously expressed his interest in football and has been seen with several international football stars.

The authenticity of the apparent chat shown during the livestream could not be independently verified.
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President Tinubu Approves Pay Rise for 250,000 Armed Forces Personnel

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President Tinubu Orders Review Of Revenue Deductions By Federal Agencies

President Tinubu Approves Pay Rise for 250,000 Armed Forces Personnel

President Bola Tinubu has approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Nigeria’s armed forces personnel.
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The pay package that will benefit approximately 250,000 personnel and take effect from September 1, 2026, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed in a statement signed Tuesday.

Onanuga said the graduated structure of the increase scales inversely with rank, with the highest percentage increases going to the most junior personnel.

Under the new arrangement, he said officers above the rank of colonel, Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent salary increase.

Personnel ranking from colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase.

The pay package will raise the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660 billion to N924 billion, an increase of N264 billion.

The President linked the pay rise directly to the sacrifices personnel continue to make in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across parts of the country.

Tinubu said troop welfare and military modernisation would remain a standing priority of his administration.

“Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties,” he said.

Tinubu tied the salary increase to his broader philosophy on national security saying, “Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians,” he said.

President Tinubu Orders Review Of Revenue Deductions By Federal Agencies

President Tinubu

“I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland.

“Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation,” the President said.
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Awori Renaissance Forum Urges ADC to Relist Lagos Reps Candidate

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ADC Will Kick Tinubu Out Even If He Appoints Seyi As INEC Chair

Awori Renaissance Forum Urges ADC to Relist Lagos Reps Candidate

The Awori Renaissance Forum has urged the leadership of the African Democratic Congress to relist Mr. Olalekan Anjolaiya as the party’s candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency, saying the move would address the alleged marginalisation of the indigenous Awori people.
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The call was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Coordinator of the Forum, Mr Muraina Ajala.

Ajala said the forum was making the appeal following reports that Anjolaiya, who was initially presented as the party’s candidate, had been disqualified over alleged multiple party registration.

He argued that replacing him with a non-indigene would amount to “a miscarriage of justice” when qualified Awori sons and daughters were available to represent the constituency in the National Assembly.

According to him, relisting Anjolaiya would give the indigenous Awori-speaking people of Alimosho the opportunity to produce a representative and end what he described as years of political marginalisation.

“We are using this opportunity to call on the leadership of the ADC to right the wrong being meted to our son and standard bearer, Hon. Olalekan Anjolaiya, who is the only hope of the indigenous Awori people of Alimosho.

“Our appeal is to the national leadership of the party, particularly the National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, whom we believe has the power to do the needful in this instance.

The forum alleged that Awori-speaking people had consistently been sidelined in the choice of candidates for the constituency despite having qualified sons and daughters capable of representing the area.

It also described Anjolaiya as “a son of the soil,” noting that his contributions to community development had earned him the traditional title of Bobakeye of Igandoland.

“The affected member is known to us and he has contributed so much to the development of Aworiland, particularly his native Igandoland. This has prompted the traditional ruler of Igando, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, to recently bestow on him the title of Bobakeye of Igandoland,” the statement said.

ADC Will Kick Tinubu Out Even If He Appoints Seyi As INEC Chair

ADC

The group further argued that allowing a non-indigene to emerge as the constituency’s representative would amount to “double jeopardy” for the Awori people.

“We are even more concerned that the only time we have been represented by one of us is now by our incumbent representative, Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, who has been denied a return ticket by the ruling All Progressives Congress. We don’t want our son, Olalekan Anjolaiya, to suffer the same fate, and this is why we are making the clarion call,” Ajala added.
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