The Akwa Ibom State Government has paid four months’ stipends to the selected pro-government journalists in the state, following a report by The Guide Newspaper on the prolonged non-payment of stipend. The payment comes days after The Guide Newspaper reported on Monday that journalists receiving the stipends had gone more than five months without payment, raising concerns about their welfare amid growing family and financial responsibilities. Although the payment brings relief to the affected journalists, one month’s arrear remains outstanding. The stipend, commonly referred to as ‘Danjuma’, has reportedly been paid to selected journalists over the years, dating back to…
Author: Ini Sam
AI Must Remain Servant, Not Master, of Nigerian Democracy — Amupitan The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, has declared that artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms will not determine the outcome of the 2027 General Elections, insisting that the choice of Nigeria’s leaders rests solely with the electorate. Amupitan made the declaration at the Artificial Intelligence and Democracy Forum 2026 in Abuja, themed “Safeguarding the 2027 General Elections in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” “Algorithms will not, and must never, decide the 2027 vote,” he said. “The choice of who leads Nigeria belongs…
-As INPA faults govt’s handling of journalists’ welfare, urges Gov Eno to approve immediate payment Journalists in Akwa Ibom State who receive monthly stipends from the state government for their support are facing mounting financial pressure following five months of non-payment arrears, with the delay coming at a time when many families are grappling with the expenses associated with the resumption of schools. The stipends, which have reportedly been made to selected journalists over the years since the administration of former Governor Victor Attah, are intended to support journalists covering government activities in the state. The payments are usually processed…
By Emmanuel Sam As Akwa Ibom State moves towards the 2027 general elections, Governor Umo Eno faces questions over the strength of his political base, his handling of political interests and his apparent reliance on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for electoral support. Governor Umo Eno, an Ibibio from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area in Uyo Senatorial District, would ordinarily be expected to draw substantial support from his home constituency and the wider Ibibio population across Uyo and Eket Senatorial Districts. However, concerns over his approach to governance, alleged failure to fulfil political promises, strained…
A frontline socio-political group in Akwa Ibom State, the Ibibio Vanguard, has mourned the untimely and unfortunate death of an Akwa Ibom son, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, at the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in Enugu State. In a press release signed by its National Secretary of Ibibio Vanguard, Comrade Silas Udom, the noted that the state has been thrown into deep mourning following Mr Daniel’s, demanding that thorough investigation must be carried out to ascertain the actual cause of death. “Our whole state is very sad and crying because our dear son, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, died…
A forensic investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS), Segun Kayode, has told the Kaduna State High Court that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and some of his associates allegedly earmarked $600,000 to pay officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and intermediaries. Kayode, the first prosecution witness in the ongoing trial, made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying before Justice Darius Khobo at the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo, Kaduna. The witness told the court that $500,000 and $100,000 were allegedly set aside for the payments, adding that forensic audio recordings captured conversations…
The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has dismissed a suit filed by the state government challenging the statutory powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the financial activities of the state government. Justice M. A. Onyetenu delivered the ruling on Thursday, October 8, 2026, upholding a preliminary objection filed by the EFCC’s legal team. The suit was instituted in 2017 by the then Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, challenging the Commission’s authority to investigate the state government’s financial activities. The dispute originated in 2016 after some…
A prosecution witness has told the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, how he allegedly paid ₦69.15 million for a five-year lease of a property represented to him as belonging to social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO. The witness, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, who testified as PW1, gave the account on Monday, October 12, 2026, during the continuation of the trial before Justice R. A. Oshodi. Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by…
…as Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri emerges as the sole academic among 68 new SANs. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) at a ceremony marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year. The ceremony took place on Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, formally admitting the recipients into one of the highest professional ranks in Nigeria’s legal profession. The newly elevated recipients comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, who was recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship.…
By Unwana Assam Mon. Oct. 12 On Saturday, June 6, 2025, Governor Umo Eno defected to the APC. He announced his defection at a ceremony held at Government House, Uyo, in the presence of some of his fellow governors from Imo, Ogun, Cross River, Edo, Delta, and other states, as well as his chosen political stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State. According to the governor, his defection to the APC was to “align Akwa Ibom State with the centre” to attract more federal presence and development. Those were his exact words. Not mine. Let me make one thing clear: the issue…