Executive Bills Will Further Drive Economic Transformation in A'Ibom — Sir Okon Okon

 

The Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, has described the three executive bills presented for public hearing on Monday June 15, 2026 by the State House of Assembly as strategic instruments for economic transformation in line with Governor Umo Eno's ARISE Agenda.

Sir Okon made the assertion while delivering a goodwill message at a public hearing on the bills held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Luton Park Hotel, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, the temporary venue of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The bills under consideration were the Akwa Ibom Geographic Information Service Bill, the Public Procurement Bill, and the Akwa Ibom State Senior Citizen Agency (Establishment) Bill.

Commending the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno PhD for his prudent management of resources, sound fiscal policies, and the rapid development witnessed across the state since 2023, Sir Okon said the proposed Geographic Information Service Bill would unlock new opportunities in revenue administration, enhance the ease of doing business, drive digitisation in public administration, and position Akwa Ibom for increased efficiency and global best practice in public administration.

According to him, the Public Procurement Bill will strengthen transparency, accountability, and value-for-money in government spending, while the Senior Citizen Agency Bill will provide a structured framework for the welfare and care of elderly citizens in the state.

He also lauded the State House of Assembly for its commitment to due legislative process and the steps taken toward the passage of the bills into law, describing the lawmakers' efforts as critical to advancing good governance and sustainable development.

Sir Okon called on stakeholders and residents of the state to support the bills and the ARISE Agenda, noting that their successful implementation would further accelerate the state's development trajectory.

The public hearing was jointly organised by the House Committee on Appropriation and Finance, the Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Renewal, and the Committee on Women Affairs, Social Welfare and Cooperative Matters.

The event was declared open by the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, who was represented by the Member representing Ikono State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana.

Also in attendance were commissioners, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organisations, traditional rulers, security agencies, and other stakeholders.

Sheltered by Pain: The Plight of three widows in Obot Akara amid a relentless rainy season

Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot 

Deep in the quiet interior community of Obot Akara Local Government Area, tucked within Nto Eton, life moves at a painfully slow rhythm for three widows whose daily existence is defined more by endurance than by living. In this forgotten corner where infrastructure thins out, the cries of survival are often swallowed by the rustling of palm fronds and the hum of distant farmlands. Here, Elizabeth Uduak Jonah, Cecelia John, and Madam Ime Unwana each carry burdens that time has refused to lighten.

Mrs. Elizabeth Uduak Jonah 

Elizabeth Uduak Jonah, widowed in 2024, is a mother of five whose frail frame now tells a story of rapid physical and emotional decline. Once active in palm fruit processing and farming, she now survives on frying groundnut and Akara under the most difficult conditions imaginable. Her voice trembles like the weak walls of her life as she speaks, her words breaking under the weight of hunger, illness, and exhaustion.

She lives in a collapsing thatch mud house with cracked walls and a leaking roof that offers no protection from rain or heat. Malnourishment has stripped her body of strength, while an untreated illness slowly drains what remains of her energy because she cannot afford proper medication. Yet, even in this condition, she refuses to rest.

In her living room 

Each day, Elizabeth pushes herself through scraping palm leaves to make brooms, frying snacks for sale, and struggling to keep her children in school. Her hands shake as she works, yet she insists that stopping would mean total surrender to hunger. From these exhausting efforts, she barely raises enough—sometimes not more than a few thousand naira—to feed her household.

"If I don't do these to make at least, Five Thousand Naira in a day, it won't work", she said in her dialect.

Her kitchen

 Still, she clings to hope, pleading quietly for assistance to expand her small trade, access medical care, and secure a safer shelter.

Cecelia John’s own reality is no less heartbreaking. A petty trader, she lives in a structure that can barely be called a house—more like a shelter held together by fragile hope and dried thatch. When the rains fall, her home becomes a place of frantic coordination, with buckets placed under every leak as water drips relentlessly from all directions.

Madam Cecilia and her children

At night, Cecelia and her children are forced to shift positions repeatedly, holding up sections of the roof to prevent it from being completely torn away by wind and rain. Sleep is never certain, and comfort is a luxury she has long stopped expecting. Yet she continues trading small goods, determined to keep her children alive despite the instability that surrounds them.

"This is how we've been operating. We don't sleep on nights when it rains", she informed this reporter.

Madam Ime Unwana, the third widow, represents an even deeper silence of age and abandonment. An octogenarian who lost her husband over two decades ago, she now lives alone in a dilapidated thatched hut that leans heavily into its own decay. Her frail body moves slowly through days marked by memory and survival, with little to hold onto except resilience shaped by years of hardship.

Mma Ime Unwana 

The current rainy season has further worsened their already fragile existence. Each downpour does not only fall from the sky but invades their homes, turning sleeping spaces into shallow pools and muddy traps. Roofs that were already weakened now surrender faster to wind and rain, leaving these widows exposed to cold nights, sickness, and constant fear of collapse. For them, rain is no longer a blessing—it is a recurring threat.

In this seasonal hardship, survival has become more expensive in pain than in money. Food is harder to keep dry, firewood is soaked, and movement within their homes becomes dangerous. The ground beneath them is constantly wet, increasing the risk of illness, especially for Elizabeth, whose already fragile health continues to deteriorate. The season has effectively turned their homes into shelters of desperation.

Together, these three women embody a painful reality of neglect and endurance in Nto Eton. Their stories echo beyond their collapsing homes, calling for urgent attention, compassion, and intervention—so that survival does not remain the only inheritance of widowhood in this forgotten community.

This is a passionate SOS to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno; the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Helen  Obareki; the Member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara/Essien Udim Federal Constituency, Dr Umoh Patrick 

Dr. Patrick Umoh; and other public-spirited individuals to urgently intervene. These widows need not sympathy alone, but action—provision of befitting shelter, basic healthcare support, and meaningful capital for livelihood sustenance—so that dignity can return to lives long shadowed by hardship.

Mrs. Elizabeth can be reached via her contact: 07060829585, and supported financially through: 2200074564 (Elizabeth Uduak Jonah) UBA

Akwa Ibom Flags-off 2026 GBV Awareness Month, as Attorney General Declares War on culture of silence

Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot 

The statistics are sobering and deeply troubling.

In just the first five months of 2026, Akwa Ibom State has recorded 161 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), according to data released by the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Department of the Ministry of Justice.

The figures reveal a painful reality that continues to confront families and communities across the State.

Of the 161 cases recorded this year, 61 involve spousal battery, 46 relate to threats to life and physical assault, 18 concern abandonment and forceful ejection from homes, 10 involve harmful widowhood practices, while 26 are rape cases.

The statistics formed the backdrop for the flag-off of the 2026 Gender-Based Violence Awareness Month held in Uyo, under the theme, "Implementing the AKS VAPP Law: From Awareness to Action."

Beyond the figures for 2026, the cumulative data tells an even more compelling story. Between June and December 2020, the State recorded 69 cases. The figure rose to 141 in 2021, increased significantly to 316 in 2022, climbed further to 368 in 2023, peaked at 465 in 2024, and stood at 318 in 2025. Combined with the 161 cases already recorded this year, the total number of reported cases since the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in June 2020 has reached 1,838.

Out of these cases, 102 convictions have been secured.

While some may view the increasing number of reports as evidence of a worsening situation, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom (SAN) offered a different perspective, describing the spike as proof that victims are gradually finding the courage to speak up and seek justice.

Delivering an emotionally charged address at the event, the Attorney General said the State was not merely marking another awareness campaign but celebrating six years of sustained efforts to transform the fight against gender-based violence through the implementation of the VAPP Law.

He described the June 2020 passage of the law as one of the most courageous decisions ever taken by the state government in protecting vulnerable citizens.

"Today, we gather not merely to mark a date on the calendar, but to reaffirm a covenant between this government and every citizen, especially the most vulnerable," he said.

According to him, the 2026 theme reflects a deliberate shift from merely creating awareness to taking concrete actions capable of protecting survivors, prosecuting offenders and preventing future abuses.

Addressing concerns about the growing number of reported cases, the Attorney General insisted that the increase should be interpreted as a positive development in many respects.

For decades, he noted, countless victims suffered in silence, trapped by fear, stigma, economic dependence and the belief that reporting abuse would lead nowhere.

Today, however, survivors are increasingly coming forward because they have confidence that the state will listen, investigate their complaints and pursue justice on their behalf.

"The silence is breaking," he declared.

He explained that every report represents an individual who has overcome fear to seek help and every prosecution demonstrates a justice system gradually earning public trust.

The Attorney General, however, warned that despite the progress made, deep-rooted cultural beliefs continue to undermine efforts to eradicate violence against women and other vulnerable groups.

Speaking candidly, he described society as largely chauvinistic, with attitudes that still view women and girls as possessions rather than individuals with rights and dignity.

According to him, these harmful perceptions create an environment where abuse is normalized, excused or concealed.

He lamented the growing tendency of families and communities to pressure survivors into abandoning criminal cases in the name of reconciliation.

Without mincing words, he condemned the popular phrase, "the matter has been settled," insisting that violence cannot be erased by financial compensation or private agreements.

"When a child is defiled, when a woman is battered unconscious, when a victim's bones are broken, there is no settlement that restores dignity," he said.

The Attorney General maintained that justice cannot be traded for convenience and urged communities to reject practices that prioritize the reputation of offenders over the wellbeing of survivors.

One of the most emotional moments of his address came when he spoke about the difficulties faced by victims who are forced to encounter their alleged abusers shortly after arrests are made.

He expressed concern over situations where suspects accused of severe acts of violence secure bail and return to the same communities where survivors and witnesses reside.

According to him, such circumstances often create fear, intimidation and pressure that discourage victims from cooperating with investigators and prosecutors.

Calling for a more nuanced approach to bail applications in serious gender-based violence cases, he urged judicial officers to consider the safety of survivors and the likelihood of witness intimidation before granting bail.

While emphasizing the importance of fair hearing and due process, he argued that severe cases of domestic violence and abuse require special consideration because of their unique dynamics.

The Attorney General also highlighted several milestones recorded since the implementation of the VAPP Law.

Among them is the establishment of a dedicated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Department within the Ministry of Justice.

The department, he explained, serves as a specialized institution responsible for coordinating prosecutions, supporting survivors and driving policy implementation across the state.

He further disclosed that shelters and skill acquisition centres have been established to provide temporary accommodation and economic empowerment opportunities for survivors.

These facilities offer counselling services, vocational training and pathways to financial independence, helping victims rebuild their lives after traumatic experiences.

The State has also established Sexual Assault Referral Centres in strategic locations to provide immediate medical care, forensic evidence collection and psychosocial support to survivors.

These centres operate as one-stop facilities where victims can access critical services without facing additional barriers.

Another major achievement highlighted during the event is the decentralization of gender-based violence response mechanisms.

Today, every local government area in Akwa Ibom State has a dedicated GBV unit, ensuring that support services are available closer to communities.

This development has significantly reduced the burden on victims who previously had to travel long distances to seek assistance.

The Attorney General further revealed that community health workers, social welfare officers and security personnel have been trained as paralegals to provide basic legal guidance and support to survivors.

Traditional rulers have also been trained on GBV response protocols, enabling them to play more effective roles in reporting and referring cases rather than encouraging harmful settlements.

According to him, these interventions demonstrate the state's commitment to moving beyond awareness campaigns to practical implementation.

He noted that each reported case and every conviction obtained since 2020 represents a life touched and a message that impunity will no longer be tolerated.

As the awareness month officially commenced, stakeholders were challenged to deepen their commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and strengthening community response systems.

The Attorney General called on the media to report responsibly, avoid sensationalism and protect the identities of survivors.

He urged service providers to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through training programmes, while encouraging communities to support victims rather than stigmatize them.

Most importantly, he addressed survivors directly. In a message that resonated across the hall, he reminded them that they are not alone and that their voices matter.

"Your voice is not a burden; it is a weapon. And we are your army," he declared.

Earlier in her remarks, the Director, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Response Department, Barr. Emem Ette informed that the event marked the formal flag-off of activities for the month-long sensitization.

She thanked government officials, development partners traditionally rulers, civil society organisations, legal practitioners, women groups, youth organisations and the media for the sustained support since 2020, and appealed for more support.

As participants rose to inaugurate the 2026 Gender-Based Violence Awareness Month, there was a palpable sense of urgency and determination.

The event was more than a ceremonial gathering. It was a reminder that behind every statistic is a human story — a child robbed of innocence, a woman seeking safety, a family struggling to heal, and a survivor searching for justice.

Six years after the enactment of the VAPP Law, Akwa Ibom's journey from awareness to action continues. The road ahead may be challenging, but government officials insist that the fight will not stop until every survivor is heard, every offender is held accountable, and every citizen can live free from violence and fear.