Akwa Ibom
NAF Strengthens Civil-Military Relations As CAS Bags Traditional Title In Akwa Ibom
NAF Strengthens Civil-Military Relations As CAS Bags Traditional Title In Akwa Ibom
NAF strengthens civil-military relations as CAS bags traditional title in Akwa Ibom. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has further strengthened its Civil–Military Relations (CMR) footprint with the commissioning of a newly constructed block of classrooms and staff offices at the permanent site of Edemaya Unity College in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
In recognition of the Service’s sustained developmental interventions, the community of Edemaya conferred the traditional title “UFAN EDEMAYA”—meaning Friend of the People of Edemaya—on the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke. The honour was bestowed during the commissioning ceremony held on Friday, 20 February 2026, underscoring the growing bond between the NAF and host communities across the nation.
The project, executed under the Chief of the Air Staff Special Intervention Project initiative, comprises a fully furnished block of three classrooms, a principal’s office, and staff rooms. It was undertaken in honour of an illustrious son of Akwa Ibom State, retired Air Vice Marshal Iboro Harry Etukudo. Representing the CAS at the event, the Chief of Civil–Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, described the intervention as a critical component of the NAF’s non-kinetic line of operations, emphasizing that such initiatives are instrumental in winning hearts and minds while fostering enduring trust between the military and the civil populace.
Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet explained that the Special Intervention Project was conceptualized to honour distinguished retired senior officers by contributing meaningfully to the development of their home communities. He noted that ten similar projects have so far been commissioned nationwide, all receiving commendation from beneficiaries. The initiative, he said, not only sustains the connection between retired officers and their roots but also reinforces the NAF’s constitutional mandate of safeguarding the nation while supporting socio-economic development.
In his remarks conveyed through his representative, the Chief of the Air Staff commended Air Vice Marshal Etukudo (Rtd) for his thoughtful choice of project and expressed confidence that the new facilities would significantly enhance the quality of education in the area. He urged students, staff, and community members to maintain and utilize the facilities responsibly. The CAS also called on residents to continue living peacefully and to support security agencies with credible information necessary for ongoing efforts to rid the country of criminal elements. On the sidelines of the event, youths of Edemaya and Akwa Ibom State were encouraged to take advantage of career opportunities within the Nigerian Armed Forces in service to the nation.
Earlier, the facilitator of the project, Air Vice Marshal Iboro Harry Etukudo (Rtd), expressed profound gratitude to the Nigerian Air Force for honouring him and his community. Reflecting on his 40-year military career which began in 1985, he described the project as a testament to the Service’s appreciation of his contributions to national and continental security. He explained that the new block marks the commencement of development at the permanent site of Edemaya Unity College, established by the community to accommodate students unable to secure admission into government secondary schools due to limited facilities. He further appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to consider taking over and expanding the college to meet the growing educational needs of the area.

CAS Bags Traditional Title In Akwa Ibom
Representing the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, lauded the Nigerian Air Force for its genuine commitment to grassroots development. He noted that the project aligns seamlessly with the administration’s agenda of improving learning and living standards through modern infrastructure.
Community leaders and residents echoed these sentiments, expressing immense gratitude and presenting the CAS with a staff of honour as a symbolic affirmation of friendship and partnership. The event not only highlighted the NAF’s operational excellence but also reaffirmed its enduring commitment to nation-building through impactful community engagement.
Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.
Akwa Ibom
Governor Eno Approves Appointment Letters for 4,000 Civil Service Recruitment Beneficiaries
Governor Eno Approves Appointment Letters for 4,000 Civil Service Recruitment Beneficiaries
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed the State Civil Service Commission to immediately commence the issuance of appointment letters to 4,000 successful candidates who participated in the recently concluded civil service recruitment exercise.
Eereporter.com
Governor Eno gave the directive on Friday, September 18, 2026, when he received the report of the recruitment exercise from a team led by the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Ekerebong Umoh, at Government House, Uyo.
The Governor also approved the recruitment of an additional 2,000 teachers by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to complement the model primary schools constructed across the state.
Governor Eno commended the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Ekerebong Umoh; the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; the Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; and other members of the recruitment team for their diligence, transparency and commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all applicants.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing fair and equal opportunities for Akwa Ibom people willing to serve the state.
The Governor recalled that a friend had contacted him seeking preferential treatment for his son during the recruitment exercise, but he advised him to allow the young man to go through the established process. The applicant eventually emerged successful.
“Today is one day I feel very happy to serve the State. We can say truthfully that we had a transparent recruitment exercise, and the people coming in will value the job because they know they worked hard to come into the service.
“I only hope and trust God that when we finish our tour of duty, posterity will be kind to us. Posterity will be able to see what we actually wanted to achieve, that for once we can have an Akwa Ibom State where everybody can be somebody,” Governor Eno said.
Presenting the report of the recruitment exercise, Mrs. Umoh thanked Governor Eno for creating employment opportunities for thousands of unemployed youths through what she described as a fair and transparent recruitment process.
She disclosed that more than 36,000 candidates registered for the recruitment exercise through the official portal, while 12,000 candidates qualified to participate in the first-stage interview.
According to her, candidates who scored 50 per cent and above in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) proceeded to the oral interview stage for the final selection.

Umo Eno
She said the recruitment exercise was comprehensive and demanding due to the large number of applicants, adding that the process was conducted to ensure fairness and transparency.
Those present at the meeting included the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; and other government officials.
Eereporter.com
Akwa Ibom
Premium 89.9FM Honours Gov Umo Eno as Most Performing Governor in Nigeria
Premium 89.9FM Honours Gov Umo Eno as Most Performing Governor in Nigeria
Premium 89.9FM has honoured the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D., with the Most Performing Governor in Nigeria 2026 award, citing the developmental strides of his administration under the ARISE Agenda.
The award was presented on Thursday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Premium 89.9FM, Mrs. Maureen Umanah, FRPA.
Eereporter.com
The award was received on behalf of Governor Eno by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ekerette Udoh, who expressed appreciation to the radio station for the recognition.
Udoh described the award as an encouragement to the Governor to sustain his efforts in delivering development and improving the wellbeing of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
He also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with the media, stressing the important role of radio in informing, engaging and connecting citizens with government.

Premium 89.9FM Honours Gov Umo Eno
Presenting the award, Umanah described Governor Eno as a “Golden Governor with the Midas touch,” in recognition of what she characterised as his administration’s achievements and developmental initiatives across the state.
The recognition was presented under the station’s awards initiative, with Premium 89.9FM celebrating the Governor’s administration and its ARISE Agenda.
Eereporter.com
Akwa Ibom
EFCC, Police, Other Stakeholders Unite Against Illicit Financial Flows in Akwa Ibom
EFCC, Police, Other Stakeholders Unite Against Illicit Financial Flows in Akwa Ibom
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) across the country to redouble their efforts in offering support to the EFCC in its fight against Illicit Financial Flows.
Eereporter.com
He made the call in Uyo at a two-day workshop organized by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) under its SecFin Africa Project, with the theme “Strengthening CSOs and Media Capacity to Contribute to the Fight against Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Nigeria”. The event drew participants from various CSOs.
The EFCC’s boss decried the damaging impact of IFFs stressing that they stall development, destroy public trust and cast slur on governance. He noted that CSOs have important roles to play through advocacy, investigative reporting and public awareness. He further emphasized that the fight against financial crimes requires collaboration among law enforcement agencies, government institutions, CSOs, and the media.
Olukoyede, who spoke through the Head of the Public Affairs Department, ACE II TE Nwosu, assured both the organizers and participants that the EFCC remained resolute in its mandate to investigate, prevent, and prosecute financial crimes. He then called on CSOs to continue to raise public awareness, promote transparency, and strengthen the integrity of the financial system for a better and more prosperous Nigeria.
Earlier, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, in his welcome address stated that IFFs pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and development. He identified corruption, money laundering, procurement fraud, tax evasion, trade mis-invoicing, and profit shifting as practices contributing to illicit financial flows. He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, and CSOs to promote transparency and accountability.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, gave a comprehensive breakdown of what constitutes IFFs and the threat it poses to our collective development. He also gave clarity on how to identify these crimes, prevent them and made some recommendations. Speaking further, Azare explained that “illicit financial flows constitute a major obstacle to economic development, economic governance, and social development in many countries, including Nigeria. They are monies or assets that are illegally acquired, transferred, concealed or utilized. They may arise from corruption, fraud, organized crime, tax-related abuses, smuggling, trafficking, cybercrimes, money laundering, and other illegal activities, and the consequences are far-reaching. These are monies that would have been used to build schools, hospitals, and developmental projects”

Akwa Ibom
Prof. Abdullahi Shehu, SecFin Africa Project Representative, gave a presentation titled “Understanding Illicit Financial Flows in Nigeria: Concepts, Typologies and Development Impact.” He discussed the nature, sources, and various typologies of IFFs, stressing that illicit financial flows are not only about the disappearance of money but also the loss of opportunities and resources that could contribute to national development.
Also speaking, Chinedum Odenyi, Head, Legal Operations Division, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), discussed the NFIU’s functions and key mandate, including its role in financial intelligence and combating money laundering and other financial crimes.
Eereporter.com
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