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Akwa Ibom Records ₦10bn Annual Payroll Savings, Pays ₦39.8bn Debt

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Akwa Ibom Records ₦10bn Annual Payroll Savings, Pays ₦39.8bn Debt

Government has repaid ₦39.831 billion in inherited commercial bank loans, increased its marketable securities portfolio to ₦47.2 billion and achieved estimated annual savings of over ₦10 billion through payroll reforms.
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The achievements were disclosed during the ongoing ministerial media briefing in Uyo, where commissioners and heads of government agencies presented their respective performance reports on the administration of Governor Umo Eno.
The presentations highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen public finances, improve revenue generation, expand investments, support education and deploy digital technology in public service delivery.

Presenting the Ministry of Finance’s scorecard, the Commissioner, Mr Emem Bob, said the state had fully settled ₦39.831 billion in inherited commercial bank loans.

He also disclosed that the government had paid ₦111 billion in outstanding gratuity arrears, leaving approximately ₦11 billion unpaid. According to him, Governor Eno has promised to clear the remaining liability.

Bob further revealed that Akwa Ibom generated ₦9.7 billion through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SEBA) programme.
He explained that the investment portfolio of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated had increased from ₦6 billion to ₦11.193 billion, with annual returns estimated between ₦470 million and ₦500 million.
The commissioner added that the state had extended ₦386 million in loans to 429 civil servants and invested ₦16 billion in Anchor Insurance to strengthen the state-owned company.

Budget Records 84.4% Implementation
On budget performance, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning reported that the 2025 budget achieved 84.4 per cent implementation based on actual revenue, while the 2026 budget recorded 64.6 per cent performance between January and September.

The commissioner also highlighted achievements under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme (AK-CARES).
The interventions included ₦10,000 cash transfers to 16,950 residents, rehabilitation of 76 rural roads and the execution of 118 microprojects, which reportedly benefited 153,288 residents.

Investment Portfolio Rises to ₦47.2bn
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP) reported significant growth in the state’s investment portfolio, with marketable securities increasing from ₦17 billion in 2025 to ₦47.2 billion.
The corporation also disclosed that dividend collections had risen to approximately ₦500 million within the current year, identifying Champion Breweries and Tropicana among businesses that had commenced dividend payments.

Managing Director of AKICORP, Pastor ImoAbasi Jacob, said the corporation was working to reposition government-owned enterprises and attract private-sector investments into the state.

He disclosed that a new investor had proposed an investment exceeding $122 million to revive the St Gabriel’s Coconut Factory and reposition it for large-scale production.
Jacob also highlighted investment opportunities arising from the state’s gas and industrial development plans, including the Ibom LNG and Logistics Hub, in which Akwa Ibom holds a five per cent equity stake, as well as the proposed ammonia fertiliser plant at Ikot Abasi.

Payroll Reforms Save Over ₦10bn Annually
In the area of digital governance, the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy disclosed that payroll verification exercises had uncovered irregularities and helped establish a more reliable database, resulting in estimated annual savings of over ₦10 billion.
The Commissioner, Dr Frank Ekpenyong, said civil servants could now access their payroll information, check deductions and complete verification through a digital platform.

He explained that payroll officers had also been trained and equipped to submit salary-related variations electronically, replacing the previous paper-based process.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state’s digital ticketing platform had generated ₦44.9 million from 201,889 tickets sold as of the close of business on the day preceding the presentation.

He added that internet services at Victor Attah International Airport had recorded 8,011 unique users and 5.8 terabytes of data consumption since activation in August.
23,535 Students Benefit from State Bursary
In the education sector, the ministry reported that 23,535 students across 131 institutions had benefited from the state’s ₦50,000 bursary scheme.
The beneficiaries were drawn from all 31 local government areas of the state.

The presentation also highlighted special financial assistance for students living with disabilities, with undergraduates receiving ₦250,000 and postgraduate students benefiting from ₦300,000.
Command Centre Equipped with 250 Cameras
The state’s digital infrastructure development also featured the Command and Control Centre, equipped with 250 surveillance cameras.

Akwa Ibom

Umo Eno

The facility comprises 50 number-plate recognition cameras and 200 standard surveillance cameras designed to operate round the clock under the management of the Ministry of Internal Security.
The facility is expected to strengthen security monitoring, surveillance and coordinated responses to security incidents across the state.

The ministerial presentations, coordinated by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, provided an overview of the Eno administration’s performance in financial management, investment promotion, digital transformation, education and infrastructure development.

The reported achievements reflect the government’s efforts to address inherited financial obligations, strengthen the state’s investment capacity, improve accountability and expand economic opportunities through technology-driven governance and private-sector participation.
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ICPC Vows to Pursue Ongoing Cases with Vigour, Transparency and Credibility

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ICPC Vows to Pursue Ongoing Cases with Vigour, Transparency and Credibility

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has received credible intelligence indicating that certain disgruntled and unpatriotic elements are plotting a campaign of misinformation and blackmail aimed at discrediting the Commission and undermining public confidence in its operations.
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The Commission believes these attempts are connected to ongoing investigations into alleged fake agencies and other high-profile cases involving politically exposed persons.

The ICPC wishes to state unequivocally that it has nothing to hide and will continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities professionally, independently and without fear or favour. All ongoing investigations will be pursued diligently and vigorously, in strict accordance with due process and the rule of law.

The Commission will neither be intimidated nor distracted by blackmail, deliberate falsehoods or attempts to undermine its legitimate anti-corruption mandate. No individual or group, regardless of political, social or economic standing, will be permitted to influence the course of lawful investigations.

ICPC

ICPC

While the Commission welcomes legitimate scrutiny and constructive criticism, it will not succumb to campaigns designed to frustrate credible investigations or intimidate its officers in the lawful performance of their duties.

The Commission remains resolute in protecting the public interest, pursuing ongoing cases with renewed vigour and strengthening accountability in Nigeria.

J. Okor Odey
Spokesperson
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
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EFCC Boss Olukoyede Charges Inducted Engineering Students on Integrity in Ekiti

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EFCC Boss Olukoyede Charges Inducted Engineering Students on Integrity in Ekiti

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged students, particularly graduates of engineering, to shun corruption and uphold integrity, accountability and transparency in their professional and personal lives.
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He gave the charge in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at the Induction Ceremony of 45 Engineering graduates of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), where he delivered a lecture titled, “Integrity, Accountability and the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes: Building a Culture of Transparency and Responsibility in Nigeria.”

The EFCC Chairman who is the Guest Lecturer, described integrity as the foundation of ethical leadership and responsible service, warned that corruption in the public and private sectors remained a major obstacle to Nigeria’s development.

He said engineers, by virtue of their professional responsibilities, must demonstrate integrity in the execution of projects, noting that compromised standards in infrastructure development could endanger lives and undermine public trust. According to him “the absence of integrity allows professionals to falsify records, manipulate contracts, divert public funds and compromise the quality of projects meant to serve the public”

The anti-graft czar challenged the newly inducted graduates to resist the temptation of using their professional positions for personal enrichment at the expense of public interest. “Where there is integrity, no public official will embezzle public funds, and where there is integrity, no engineer will certify a poorly executed project”, he said.

The EFCC chairman lamented that despite Nigeria’s enormous natural and human resources, corruption, poor public accountability and the mismanagement of national wealth had continued to undermine the country’s development.

He disclosed that the Commission had secured 10,872 convictions and recovered monetary assets worth over N1.288 trillion in the last three years as part of efforts to combat economic and financial crimes.

Olukoyede, however, maintained that the fight against corruption could not be won through investigation, enforcement and prosecution alone, stressing the need for a fundamental change in individual and national values.

He said the EFCC had adopted a preventive approach through its Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) department, which identifies systemic weaknesses in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that could create opportunities for fraud.

He also urged students to reject cybercrime, identity theft, internet fraud and other illicit activities, warning that the temporary gains of criminal activities could lead to lasting damage to their reputations and future prospects.

The Commission, he added, was investing in a Cybercrime Research Centre at its academy in Abuja, to promote research, training, fraud prevention and the redirection of young people towards ethical practices.

Olukoyede further called on families, educational institutions, religious organisations, traditional rulers and professional bodies to take collective responsibility for promoting integrity and accountability in society.

Earlier, The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Babatunde Omojola, highlighted the importance of the Induction Ceremony in advancing the University’s commitment to producing competent and professionally responsible graduates.

Omojola emphasised the need for Universities to equip students with the knowledge, practical skills and ethical values required to address societal challenges, particularly in a rapidly evolving technological environment.

He urged the inductees to justify the confidence reposed in them by the institution, uphold the standards of the engineering profession and deploy their expertise towards national development.

The University don showered encomium on the EFCC Chairman on his giant strides in sanitising Nigeria and honouring the school’s invitation.

In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Engr. S.A. Akinola, said the Induction Ceremony was an important milestone for the University, the faculty and the engineering profession.

EFCC

EFCC

Akinola identified knowledge, responsibility and partnership as the three pillars guiding the faculty’s vision, stressing that engineering education must go beyond theoretical knowledge to equip students with practical skills to address societal challenges.

He said the faculty was encouraging innovation through student projects in sensor-based systems, automation, solar energy and other technology-driven solutions.

The dean also disclosed that the faculty was working towards establishing an engineering innovation scale-up facility, modern workshops and collaborative learning spaces to expose students to contemporary engineering tools and technologies.

He called for partnerships with professional bodies, government institutions, corporate organisations and development partners to support the faculty’s development plans.

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IGP Disu Opens Training for Newly Promoted AIGs and CPs, Urges Leadership and Accountability

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IGP Disu Opens Training for Newly Promoted AIGs and CPs, Urges Leadership and Accountability

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on Thursday, 12th November 2026, declared open the Executive Training on Advanced Command, Strategic Leadership and Policing Governance for newly promoted Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police at the National Institute of Police Studies (NIPS), Abuja. The programme is designed to strengthen strategic leadership, and command effectiveness.
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In his remarks, the IGP congratulated the officers on their promotions, stressing that higher rank carries greater responsibility and accountability. He charged them to anticipate security challenges, manage resources effectively and make sound decisions guided by professionalism, the rule of law and the public interest.

The IGP identified integrity, personnel development and public trust as core leadership priorities. He demanded zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of office and indiscipline, and urged participants to prioritise mentorship and personnel welfare. He noted that leadership is measured not only by achievements in office but also by the quality of officers developed and left behind.

He further charged participants to earn public confidence through fairness, respect for human rights and responsive service. He urged them to engage actively in the training and translate the knowledge gained into stronger command performance and improved public safety.

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IGP Disu

In his address, the Director-General of NIPS, Professor Olu Ogunsakin, emphasised that senior command requires a broader understanding of security patterns and organisational challenges. He explained that the training would combine practical scenarios, dialogue and strategic thinking to sharpen participants’ judgement and prepare them to lead with courage, humanity and confidence.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to continuous professional development, accountable leadership and personnel welfare as foundations for effective, people-oriented policing.

CSP ANI INIEDU, anipr
Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters, Abuja.
13th November, 2026.
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