Akwa Ibom
Utitofon Jackson, Set To Become First Nigerian-Born Mayor Of The Borough, UK
Utitofon Jackson, Set To Become First Nigerian-Born Mayor Of The Borough, UK
Utitofon Jackson, set to become first Nigerian-born Mayor of the Borough, UK. Councillor Jason Utitofon Jackson, the current Deputy Mayor of Islington, is poised to make history as the first Nigerian-born Mayor of the borough since the office was established in 1900. Born in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Cllr Jackson moved to the United Kingdom as a teenager and has since built an impressive record of public service, community leadership, and social impact.
He began his early education in Nigeria, attending primary school and later Holy Family College (HOFACO) in Abak, Akwa Ibom State, before relocating to the UK to continue his studies. A naturally gifted speaker, he gained national recognition in Nigeria as the country’s youngest preacher at the age of six.
His deep Christian faith, instilled from childhood, continues to guide his values and leadership style.
Elected as a councillor in 2022, he quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed Chair of Islington’s Homes and Communities Committee in 2023. In this role, he led ground-breaking work in housing equity, community wellbeing, and inclusive governance.
One of his most notable achievements was initiating a £1.6 million mental health programme specifically for young Black men — a nationally recognised and award-nominated initiative that set a new benchmark for culturally responsive services in the UK.
In just three years, Cllr Jackson has gone from first-time councillor to the borough’s highest civic office — a clear testament to his integrity, vision, and strong grassroots connection to the community.
After arriving in the UK, he furthered his education and attended London Metropolitan University, where he was elected President of the Students’ Union. There, he championed racial equity, student advocacy, and social justice — not just in the UK, but also across the African continent.
This period laid the foundation for what has become a lifelong dedication to advocacy and empowerment.
Cllr Jackson currently serves as co-founder of The Black Policy Institute (TBPI), a national think tank focused on elevating Black British and African perspectives in public policy, civic participation, and community development.
His work bridges personal experience with strategic insight — giving voice to communities often excluded from key decision-making processes.
He holds a degree in Business Law and Media Studies, as well as a Master’s in Big Data in Culture and Society from King’s College London. In addition to his public service, he is a business consultant and social entrepreneur with interests spanning real estate, agriculture, education, and ethical AI — leveraging technology for social good and development.
Cllr Jackson is happily married and a proud father of three sons, often describing his family as his greatest motivation.
Utitofon Jackson
“My family is my anchor,” he said. “My sons remind me daily why I must lead with faith, purpose, and a sense of responsibility to uplift others. Becoming Islington’s first Nigerian-born Mayor is more than a personal honour — it is a symbol of what is possible when one’s heritage inspires service, and leadership reflects the community it represents.”
As Mayor, Cllr Jackson plans to focus on issues that reflect his life’s journey: social equity, youth empowerment, mental health, and inclusive innovation. His leadership will aim to increase access, foster representation, and ensure that no one is left behind in the development process.
His inauguration on 15 May 2025 will not only be a significant moment for the borough of Islington but also a proud milestone for Nigerians and Africans in the diaspora — proving that leadership can be principled, identity-driven, and accessible to all.
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.
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