Redemption 101.5 FM, ABAK

01/11/2025

AKWA IBOM STATE POLICE COMMAND

PRESS RELEASE

POLICE ARREST, PROSECUTES MASQUERADE LEADER, ONE OTHER FOR PUBLIC DISTURBANCE, ARMED BLOCKADE, AND EXTORTION

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two individuals, including the leader of a masquerade cultural group for a series of criminal activities including illegal assembly, armed blockage of a public highway, and extortion.

The arrest followed a distress call received from a concerned citizen (name withheld) reporting the illegal display of a masquerade cultural group that was attacking citizens, blocking a public highway, and extorting money from members of the public passing through the route. According to the information from the distress call, the perpetrators, armed with sphere arrows, machetes, sticks, and other weapons, were also physically assaulting members of the public, including NYSC members.

Investigation revealed that the leader of the "Ekpo" masquerade in the village, one Uwem Umanah 'M' aged 45 years, had authorized members of the group to wear masks and disguise themselves in masquerade costumes in public, despite an existing ban on such displays.

Upon receipt of the information, Operatives of the Command immediately dispatched to the scene and arrested the alleged mastermind, Uwem Umanah.

In a related development, one David Michael 'M' aged 34 years of Ikot Obong Edong Village, was arrested at Ukana Onuk Village while in possession of complete masquerade costumes, preparing to invade the area.

The two suspects have been charged to court following a thorough investigation into the matter

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammad Azare fsi, reassures the general public of the Command's unwavering commitment to maintaining public safety and order.

The police will not tolerate acts of lawlessness, intimidation, or violence under any guise, including the unauthorized use of cultural paraphernalia to perpetrate crime.

Members of the public are urged to continue to provide timely and useful information to the police to prevent crime and ensure that all communities remain safe and secure for lawful activities.

Signed:
DSP Timfon John LLB, Anipr
Police Public Relations Officer
Akwa Ibom State Command.
01/11/2025

29/10/2025

Close Up...

24/10/2025

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS

President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.

The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.

Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.

The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.

The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

All appointments take immediate effect.

Sunday Dare
Special Adviser to the President
Media & Public Communication
October 24, 2025

23/10/2025

Sanitation to hold on Saturday WITHOUT restriction of movement.

23/10/2025

IBOM AIR AND AKWA UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
..Ibom Air Becomes Official Shirt Sponsor of Akwa United FC

Ibom Air and Akwa United Football Club, 2021 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Champions and two-time FA Cup winners, have entered into a landmark partnership, marking a significant milestone for sports and private sector collaboration in Akwa Ibom State.

Under the agreement signed today at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Ibom Air is unveiled as the Official Shirt Sponsor of Akwa United FC. The sponsorship deal, valued at Two Hundred Million Naira (₦200,000,000 ) for an initial two-year term, includes both cash and in-kind contributions, with 50% of the total value provided in kind.

The signing ceremony and press briefing attracted key stakeholders from the sports community, government officials, and media representatives.
Speaking at the event, Mr. George Uriesi, CEO of Ibom Air, described the partnership as a reflection of the airline’s commitment to supporting the state through impactful community-focused initiatives.

Mr. Uriesi further emphasized that the partnership demonstrates Ibom Air’s belief in the unifying power of sports to inspire youth and foster state pride.

Mr. Joseph Eno, Chairman of Akwa United FC, expressed deep appreciation to Ibom Air for its timely support.

In his remarks, Elder Paul Bassey, Honourable Commissioner for Sports, commended the collaboration as a fulfillment of the state’s long-term vision for sports development.

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of Akwa United’s new jersey, the inauguration of key working committees, and interactive sessions with the media.

Ibom Airlines Limited is a limited liability company wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government. The airline is committed to providing exceptional service defined by schedule reliability, on-time departures, and excellent customer experience.
Ibom Air operates a fleet of seven Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft and two Airbus A220-300s, serving seven domestic destinations as well as Accra, Ghana.
Visit www.ibomair.com for route and service information.

About Akwa United Football Club
Akwa United FC, winners of the 2021 Nigeria Premier Football League and two-time FA Cup champions (2015, 2017), has represented Nigeria in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.

Founded as Ibom Stars FC in 1997 and later rebranded as Akwa United FC, the club is owned and funded by the Akwa Ibom State Government and plays its home matches in Uyo.

22/10/2025

SENATE PROPOSES TRANSFER OF BURDEN IN ELECTION PETITIONS TO INEC

The Senate has called for the transfer of the burden of proof in election petitions from aggrieved candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission — the body that conducts and supervises elections.

The proposal formed a key part of deliberations as lawmakers debated the general principles of a bill seeking to repeal the 2022 Electoral Act and enact a new Electoral Act 2025.

The move, they argued, would make the electoral process more credible, transparent and accountable.

The lawmakers also believed that, if signed into law, it would mark a turning point in the bid to reform Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.

14/10/2025

The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council approved the upgrade of Akwa Ibom State College of Education to Akwa Ibom State University of Education.

The decision formed part of the resolution of the State Executive Council which held on Monday 13th October, 2025.

The Council equally approved its regularization.

According to the EXCO, the upgrade is in line with the drive to improve the standard and quality of teachers' education to align with the Human Capital Development component of the ARISE AGENDA.

The College of Education recently undertook a combined 8th to 13th convocation, spanning 2015 to 2020 entry years.

The State House of Assembly had earlier passed the bill for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit into law.

13/10/2025

The General Transits!!!

"He came, he saw, and he conquered. Now is rest time".

09/10/2025

The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law, Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR AMUPITAN AS INEC CHAIRMAN

The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu's exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025.

President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.

Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.

In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.

Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau. He is also an alumnus of the university.

He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.

Amupitan was born on April 25, 1967.

After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.

He earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.

Currently, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.

Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).

Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).

Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).

He is married and has four children.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

October 9, 2025

07/10/2025

Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology has resigned following some allegations of certificate forgery against him.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga who confirmed the resignation in a statement, said the president has accepted the Minister’s decision.

07/10/2025

Professor Mahmood Yakubu has handed over to May Agbamuche as the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

May Agbamuche is the oldest serving National Commissioner in the electoral body.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce a new INEC Chairman after consulting with the National Council of State. The Council of State meeting takes place on Thursday.

06/10/2025

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has approved the implementation of 27,000 pension increment to pensioners in the State.

The increment follows the conclusion of the verification of all pensioners in the State.

The increment is effective 1st September, 2025.