Ikot Ekpe Offot Unity Cup Grand Finale

............1st edition 2026

This Sunday, 25th January 2026, will witness the grand finale of the Ikot Ekpe Unity Cup, an event expected to be a spectacle. The contest will be held at Abak Road, opposite the Jehovah Witness Hall, near the flyover. It is anticipated to be an enthralling game. We invite you to be part of this celebration of unity among the people, embodying the spirit of Akwa Ibom United.

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#1stEdition2026

Akwa Ibom Senatorial Office Lists Achievements, Rebuts Claims of Poor Representation

The Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District Liaison Office has rejected recent claims questioning the quality of representation at the National Assembly by Senator Aniekan Bassey, describing the allegations as misleading and unsupported by facts.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Publicity and Spokesperson of the Liaison Office, Dr Eventus Edem, the office said it was compelled to respond to public comments credited to a former federal lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Daniel Akpan, in order to “set the records straight for the benefit of the public”.

Dr Edem said while dissenting opinions are a legitimate part of democratic discourse, assessments of public officeholders must be guided by evidence, balance and verifiable records rather than sweeping generalisations.

According to the statement, senatorial representation should be evaluated on four key pillars: legislation, oversight, advocacy and constituency development. It argued that Senator Aniekan Bassey has demonstrated “substantial and visible performance” across all four areas since assuming office.

On legislation, the Liaison Office listed several bills sponsored by the senator, including amendments to the Price Control Act, the Agricultural Research Council Act, the Companies and Allied Matters Act, and proposed establishment bills for institutions such as a National Centre for Renewable Energy Research in Uruan and a Federal College of Fishery and Aquatic Studies for the district. It added that Senator Bassey currently serves on key Senate committees and is also a member of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The statement further highlighted the senator’s role in national advocacy through motions on issues such as crude oil theft, the Petroleum Industry Act, the exit of international oil companies, alleged annexation of mangrove islands in Mbo Local Government Area by Cameroon, and human trafficking.

On constituency development, the Liaison Office said Senator Bassey has invested heavily in education, youth empowerment, healthcare and infrastructure. It cited the delivery of ICT centres and learning equipment to schools across the district, sponsorship of over 3,000 students for UTME registration, scholarships, digital skills training, and grants and equipment support amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.

Healthcare interventions, according to the statement, include free medical and surgical outreaches across the three federal constituencies in the district, alongside the supply of drugs and consumables to health centres. It also listed solar streetlights, boreholes, classroom blocks and facilitated road projects as part of the senator’s infrastructure footprint.

Dr Edem said the claims of “absence” or “failure” in representation do not align with what he described as “documented, visible and verifiable achievements”, noting that constituents could independently confirm projects and programmes across local government areas.

He added that the achievements of the senator are publicly documented and available at the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District Liaison Office in Uyo.

The statement concluded by urging political actors to engage in issue-based debates and constructive criticism, stressing that democratic accountability is strengthened by facts rather than rhetoric.

Akwa Ibom ALGON Dismisses False Report on Alleged Rejection of Federal Allocation

 

PRESS STATEMENT

Akwa Ibom ALGON Dismisses False Report on Alleged Rejection of Federal Allocation

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has dismissed as false and malicious a report published by The Crest Newspaper alleging that Local Government Chairmen rejected “pilfered” federal allocation. ALGON states clearly that no such incident occurred, and the report is a misrepresentation of facts aimed at misleading the public and creating unnecessary tension.

For the avoidance of doubt, no Local Government Chairman in Akwa Ibom State rejected any federal allocation. Indeed, the suggestion that Chairmen would dare a Governor who has consistently demonstrated strong support for the local government system is unfounded and illogical. 

On the contrary, following a shortfall in the federal allocation, the Akwa Ibom State Government promptly intervened by providing grants to local governments to cushion the impact and ensure smooth administration at the grassroots.

ALGON further affirms that local government administrations across the state are up to date in the payment of salaries and statutory entitlements, including the payment of the 13th month salary to workers in December. This reflects the commitment of both the local governments and the supportive role of the state government in prioritising workers’ welfare.

It is also important to place on record that His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, assisted in the payment of backlog gratuities owed to local government retirees, particularly in view of the shortfall in the November federal allocation shared in December and ALGON appreciates His Excellency for his benevolence in that regard.

ALGON emphasizes that the Akwa Ibom State Government has consistently augmented local government allocations whenever there is a shortfall, a long-standing practice that predates the current administration of Pastor Umo Eno, PhD.

ALGON therefore urges the media to uphold professionalism, verify facts, and refrain from sensational reporting capable of undermining public confidence. The Association remains committed to transparent governance and continued collaboration with the state government for the development of Akwa Ibom State.

e-signed:

Dr Uwemedimo Udo

Chairman, ALGON

Akwa Ibom State Chapter

12012026

Sir & Lady Okon Okon Host New Year Thanksgiving and Community Get-Together

...10 students in tertiary institutions got scholarship 

Sir Okon Okon and his wife, Barrister Uwem Okon, on Thursday, 1st January 2026, gathered members of the Ekpene Ibia community in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State for a New Year Thanksgiving and Community Get-Together, held at the country home of the hosts in Ekpene Ibia, Uruan local government area.

The event which was organized to thank God for His goodness and to usher the community into the New Year on a bright note, brought together community stakeholders, leaders, women, youths, friends and invited guests in an atmosphere of joy, fellowship and celebration characterised by optimism and great expectations in the new year. Activities at the event included a thanksgiving service marked by soul-lifting songs of praise to God, intercessory prayers, community interaction, ballad rendition, exhortation, colourful cultural performances that showcased the rich heritage of the people of Ekpene Ibia, presentation of gifts items, and award of scholarships to 10  students in tertiary institutions, two from each ward of neighbouring communities along the Mbak Etoi-Issiet Beach Road that comprises a total of 5 wards, with 4 in Uruan LGA and 1 in Uyo LGA.

Delivering a sermon during the thanksgiving service on the topic "Choices and Mission in Life",  Rt. Rev. Edem Offiong,  Bishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Mbiaso, who drew his exhortation  from Genesis 19:17 and 1 Samuel 30:8 stated that those like David and Lot who acknowledge and rely on God in their lives do not experience failures. Commending the Okon family for always putting God first in their lives and their humanitarian dispositions, the Man of God also described thanksgiving as a vital expression of appreciation to God   which attracts more blessings. He  encouraged members of the community to always thank God for His goodness in the past year while seeking His guidance and direction in the New Year.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Sir Okon Okon, who is the Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), noted that the New Year Thanksgiving and Community Get-Together is an annual event instituted by the family to express love, gratitude, and unity within the community. According to him, the gathering provides an opportunity for community members to collectively thank God for His immeasurable benevolence, interact as one family, share concerns and meals together, and benefit from scholarships awarded to deserving students through the Sir and Lady Okon Scholarship Foundation, as part of the family’s contribution to community development.

Sir Okon further noted that the initiative reflects the inclusive and people-centred leadership philosophy of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., who, through the ARISE Agenda, has emphasized togetherness and unity as catalyst for sustainable development and collective progress in the State.

He said, "Like we have done previously every first day of a new year, it was necessary we gather again in 2026 to thank God for preserving our lives in the past year, handover ourselves, our dreams for the new new year, and the community to Him".

Also speaking, Lady Uwem Okon Okon, a legal practitioner and fitness expert, described thanksgiving and sharing as a long-standing family tradition that strengthens their bond with God and kindredship with Ekpene Ibia and the wider Uruan community. She noted that the event gives the family a deep sense of belonging and provides an avenue to positively impact lives in practical and meaningful ways.

In their testimonies, two previous beneficiaries of the Sir Okon & Uwem Foundation, Mr. Imebong Edem, who recently graduated from the University , and Mr. Imoh Etim, who was supported with business grant, both appreciated the benefactors for giving them a footing in life.

High point of the event was the bestowment of the Chieftaincy title of "Obong Unwana" on Sir Okon Okon by the Council of Chiefs, Ikot Otoinye, Uruan local government area, in recognition of his contributions to the growth and development of Uruan and Akwa Ibom State.

Present at the event were prominent sons and daughters of Uruan Local Government Area, including members of Ekpene Ibia Village Council, led by His Highness, Obong Sebastian Okon; His Highness, Col Etim Nyong (rtd) and wife; House Member, representing Uruan in the State House of Assembly, Dr. Itorobong Etim; Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Efiok of St. Dominic Catholic Church of Perpetual Adoration, Brooks Street, Uyo; MD/CEO, Ibom Mortgage Bank,  Pastor Ime Okon; friends from the Diaspora led by Barr. Hope Umanah, among others.