EXPLICIT MAGAZINE

  RT. HON. ENGR. OTO-OBONG OKON ESSIEN CELEBRATES IKONO MEDAL WINNERS AT NATIONAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS ---- Sets to Establish Sports Academy in Ikono By Julius Nsikak, Ikono A memorable day, Monday, 12th May 2025, will be etched in the minds of Ikono indigenes who won medals at the recently concluded 2025 Niger Delta Sports Festival and MTN CHAMPS track race tournament, as Rt. Hon Engr Oto-Obong Essien , COP, Chairman of Ikono Local Government Council, organised a grand reception ceremony to honour their milestone achievements and celebrate their success in making Ikono proud. The ceremony, which took place at the Council Hall of Ikono Local Government Headquarters, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, drew a massive turnout of stakeholders who gathered to recognise and celebrate the exceptional talents of Ikono indigenes. Addressing the crowd, Rt. Hon. Essien expressed delight at the event's success and commended the skills of Ikono youths for showcasing their abilities and perseverance. "I am h...

  MAIDEN EDITION OF IED ENTREPRENEURSHIP BOOT CAMP HOLDS IN UYO  By Julius Nsikak - Uyo Cross section of participants at IED Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, posing with the organiser, Dr. Edem The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Natella Business Academy (NBA), Dr. Mfon Joseph Edem, has organised a one-day IED Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State.   The maiden edition of the boot camp took place Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Ibom Leadership Entrepreneurship Development Center in Uyo, christened "Empowering Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth - Building Sustainable Businesses in Akwa Ibom State,". The event brought together intelligent and successful entrepreneurial participants from across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state, including representatives nominated by the 26 Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Legislators in the eighth Assembly. The boot camp featured interactive sessions, group presentations, certificate presentations,...

A'IBOM LEGISLATURE PASSES BILL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AKS UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, AFAHA NSIT  By JULIUS Nsikak - Explicit Magazine  March 13, 2025 Mrs. Onofiok, AKHA committee chairman on Education    The Akwa Ibom State Legislature has recently passed a law providing for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, and making provisions for its administration and other connected purposes.  This legislation follows a report presented by the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon. (Mrs.) Kenim Onofiok, also a member representing Oron/Odung Uko State Constituency. Mrs. Onofiok explained that the bill will provide advanced teacher education programmes and opportunities for children in the state and beyond seeking admission into degree-awarding institutions. She noted that students have lost interest in the three-year National Certificate for Education (NCE) programmes, preferring the four-ye...

AKHA COMMITTEE HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING TO ESTABLISH AKS UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, AFAHA NSIT By Julius Nsikak - Explicit Magazine February 26, 2025 Hon. Onofiok, Chairman, AKHA Committee on Education  From the outside, the State Assembly's Complex was a hub of activity, with every available parking space occupied by cars, tricycles, and other vehicles. Upon entering, the old chapel of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly was packed to capacity, filled with a large turnout of public hearers eager to witness, listen, and participate in the public hearing of the State House of Assembly Committee on Education. For those who missed the gathering, the public hearing focused on a bill proposing the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, including provisions for its administration and related matters. The event was deemed highly enlightening, offering valuable insights and shedding light on both familiar and unfamiliar trends. Notably, this marked the first ...

AKWA IBOM STATE LEGISLATURE CONFIRMS GOV. ENO'S 27 NOMINEES  By Julius Nsikak, Uyo  The Akwa Ibom State Legislature has confirmed 27 nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers, who will be appointed into the State Executive Council by Governor Umo Eno.  This confirmation came after a thorough screening exercise, where the state's legislators reviewed the nominees' qualifications and experience. The house committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions, chaired by Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah, was the mandated committee that undertook the screening exercise. The confirmed nominees include notable individuals such as Elder Aniekan Umanah, Dr. Henry Archibong, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, and Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, among others. The list also features Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd.), Mr. Bob Almond Emem, Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien, and Dr. Offiong Offor, to name a few. Other nominees who made the cut are Barr. Kufre Udosen, General Koko Essien (rtd), Hon. Ubuo Effi...

AKHA COMMITTEE PLEDGES TO REVISE OUTDATED ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, URGES AKSEPWMA TO PRIORITIZE WORKER SAFETY  By Julius Nsikak, Uyo Members of AKHA committee on Environment posing with visiting agency, AKSEPWMA  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, chaired by Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, has committed to updating the state's antiquated environmental laws to better serve the needs of its residents.  This commitment was made during a meeting with the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday, February 17, 2025.   The gathering aimed to promote effective waste management, control, and environmental sustainability.  The committee's assurance came in response to two motions: "Urgent Need to Equip Environmental Workers with Protective Equipment (PPE)" sponsored by Hon. Selinah Ukpatu, and "Urgent Need to Address Unregulated Refuse Dump Scavenging in Uyo Metropolis" spons...

AKWA IBOM STATE POLICE COMMAND PASSES OUT 1,511 RETRAINED WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS IN GRAND STYLE By Julius Nsikak - Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has made history with the passing out of 1,511 retrained female police officers, following a three month rigorous training programme, created to enhance their skills and expertise. This epoch making ceremony is evidence of the command's efforts to strengthen its workforce and ensure security across the state, while also promoting gender inclusiveness within the Police Force. The training being far from routine exercise  is a confirmation of the command's commitment and preparedness to building a more complex  and effective Police Force, capable of meeting the evolving security needs of the states thereby making the society livable and crime free. Speaking at the passing out ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, expressed his excitement over the successful completion of the re-tr...

  GOV. ENO INTERVENES IN EASTERN OBOLO-SPFL CRISIS, PROMISES FAIR RESOLUTION, SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIALISATION  By Julius Nsikak, Uyo  Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Bassey Eno, has stepped in to resolve the escalating conflict between the people of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area and Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited (SPFL).  After a thorough tour of SPFL's facility, the Governor announced the formation of a high-powered committee to address the host communities' grievances and ensure a fair and lasting resolution.  The committee will comprise representatives from the state government, Eastern Obolo, SPFL, and security agencies, and will focus on environmental concerns, relocation of affected communities, land usage, and other critical issues threatening peace in the area. The Governor's intervention comes after tensions in Eastern Obolo reached a boiling point, with the Paramount Ruler, HRM Uboon Harry J. Etetor IX, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to SP...

IKOT AMBON IBESIKPO GETS NEW COUNCIL, SOLICITS PARTNERSHIP FOR HIGH SCHOOL Sunny Edemenang - Uyo Ikot Ambon Ibesikpo in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area has inaugurated a new village council, marking a significant milestone for the community.  The Village Head, Eteidung Nicholas Etim Akpan, seized the opportunity to appeal for a partnership with the state government to establish a functional public High School in northern Ibesikpo, which will serve around 25 villages. Without waiting for government to do everything, the community has already demonstrated its commitment to education by setting aside vast portion of land for the High School project, provide tables and chairs for the teachers, bought books and uniforms for the pupils.  They have also embarked on perimeter fencing to secure the school premises. The newly formed village council consists of eight members, with Mr. Saviour Edet Etim as chairman, Mr. Aniekfiok Edet Etim as vice chairman, and Mr. Kingsley Udofia a...

GENERAL HYDROCARBONS LIMITED VS. FIRST BANK  OF  NIGERIA: THE FACTS, HALF-TRUTHS, FICTION  By Nora Inwang In light of the ongoing legal dispute between General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) and First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), GHL has issued a press release on February 8, 2025, to clarify its position, particularly in response to FBN's claim that the company took out a loan. The management of General Hydrocarbons Limited stated, "Is GHL's liability to First Bank a loan? The simple answer is NO. It is not a conventional commercial loan; rather, it is a project finance arrangement." Here’s a breakdown of the situation: GHL is the licensed operator and awardee of OML 120. FBN approached GHL to finance the exploration, development, and production of OML 120, with a profit-sharing arrangement of 50:50, while GHL would pay FBN the cost of financing. The FBN 50% share was specifically allocated to help reduce FBN's non-performing loan of $600 million, which had been discounted ...