Akwa Ibom State has marked its 38th anniversary with a colourful convergence that brought together government officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders, celebrating nearly four decades of peace, unity, and progress.

The event, held in Uyo, the state capital in southern Nigeria, underscored the role of traditional institutions in the state’s evolution, while also highlighting Governor Umo Eno’s people-centred leadership.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, described the anniversary as ‘a celebration of collective achievements and resilience.’

“This year’s celebration fills our hearts with overwhelming joy and satisfaction. We are joyous because we are not just marking an anniversary, but celebrating 38 years of consistent growth in every region, peace and prosperity,” he stated.

Archibong paid special tribute to the state’s royal fathers for their stabilising role since 1987, saying:“Our Royal Fathers were the very pillars upon which the new state stood to galvanise our people for collective action, champion community ownership of development projects, and provide the cultural, social, and political stability that allowed our state to find peace.”

The Commissioner lauded Governor Umo Eno for fostering unity across political divides. 

“The prevailing peace, political tolerance, and bipartisan disposition of your administration have further created an atmosphere where citizens can thrive regardless of their political leanings,” he said.

Archibong also commended the Governor’s recent initiatives, describing them as visionary:

“The Security Summit will undoubtedly equip our security agencies and fortify our cities as an incredible haven of peace. Similarly, the Electricity Summit has set a clear and actionable pathway towards achieving stable and sustainable power, which is the lifeblood of industrial growth and economic prosperity,”he said.

Transition in the Traditional Rulers Council

As part of the programme, Archibong presented Akuku Sylvester Udofia as the new Chairman of the Supreme Council of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers, succeeding His Royal Majesty Odidem Bassey Edet. 

He assured the people that the new leadership would “discharge very effectively the role that has been entrusted, guided by the older members of the institution.”

The Commissioner reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the welfare of traditional rulers.

Archibong noted that: “Our Royal Fathers are deeply appreciative of your benevolence, especially in the sustenance of welfare packages and quarterly medical allowances.”

Speaking to Voice of Nigeria, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Akwa Ibom and Uyo Local Government Chairman, Dr Uwemedimo Udo, highlighted the role of local governments in delivering development directly to the people.

“The third tier of government is actually the closest to the people. Development thrives in communities, and our people live in communities. Therefore, you cannot underestimate the role of local government in development,” Udo explained.

He spotlighted interventions in healthcare, water supply, student bursaries, and rural infrastructure, noting that Chairmen across Akwa Ibom State  have been “roundly commended as people who have utilised the resources of the local government for the greater good and benefit of the people.”

On financial Autonomy in the Local Government autonomy, the Chairman emphasised that the local government system “has always operated independently,” dismissing claims of financial strangulation. 

Udo explained that the recent rise in allocations is simply “a direct outcome of the removal of fuel subsidy,” noting that the subsidy had long consumed a huge chunk of national resources.

“With its removal, councils now have greater access to funds to drive development at the grassroots,” he stated.

Reflecting on the milestone, Udo saluted past leaders who fought for the state’s creation.

“We salute their efforts, we salute their gallantry, and of course, we wish Akwa Ibom well. We wish Akwa Ibom to be more developed, more prosperous, for our people to live in more peace and enjoy more development across all sectors of our state’s life,” he stated.

A global giant, the Gates Foundation, has pledged more support for Nigeria to boost the country’s human capital development efforts.

The commitment was made during a meeting between Vice President Shettima and a delegation from the Gates Foundation led by its CEO, Mark Suzman.

VP Shettima thanked the Foundation for its support in healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion while calling for expanded investment in Nigeria.

“In the Gates Foundation, we have a partner that we trust and believe in. If all high-net-worth individuals made even half the investment Bill Gates has made, the world would be a better place. Kindly convey the highest regards of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Mr Gates,” VP Shettima said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s growth ambitions, the vice president added: “Our target over the next few years is to achieve annual growth rates of no less than seven per cent, anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education.”

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, also appealed for greater Gates Foundation support in education, especially in the areas of technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

“What I want to put on the table to the Gates Foundation is increased investment in education. I have met with your representatives in Africa, and they indicated that the initial focus over the years had been on child nutrition but not education. Now I think there is more focus on education, so I am seeking enhanced support in that area to bolster our foundational education. We don’t have adequate support at all,” the minister said.

More Support 

Responding, CEO Suzman pledged enhanced investment in human capital development, education, and health, noting the foundation’s significant progress in digital identity and digital financial inclusion in Nigeria.

He commended the strong commitment of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, stating, “Nigeria is really one of our strongest partnerships on the African continent, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you about where and how we might be more helpful while assuring you of our continued support.

“We just signed new grants with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support related initiatives, and we are very encouraged by your broader efforts,” Suzman added.

Nigerian Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, has pledged collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Creative Media Sector Skills Council to integrate digital and creative media standards into Nigeria’s broadcast and information practice.

The Minister made this known during a courtesy visit by the leadership of NBTE in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Idris highlighted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that skills and technology development are central to the Agenda’s eight priority areas, with visible progress already being made by NBTE and other government agencies.

Honorable Minister of Information & National Orientation, Mohammed Idris receives the National Board for Technical Education led by Professor Idris Bugaje on a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja pic.twitter.com/g40HnFk5Yy

— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) September 23, 2025

“The collaboration that the government will have with the private sector to drive this economy is critical. What you are doing now is a clear direction of that kind of synergy. That synergy is also being driven by President Bola and his committee, and I assure you that we will continue to collaborate,” he said.

Commending NBTE’s role in advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the Minister stated: “I wish to commend the National Board for Technical Education for its tireless efforts in advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria, particularly through the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework. I am equally delighted by the inauguration of the Creative Media Sector Skills Council, which brings together key private sector players and public institutions to address the skills gap in one of the most dynamic sectors of our economy.”

Press Release

Information Minister Hails NBTE For Creative Media Skills Development

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has applauded the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for its tireless efforts in advancing Technical and… pic.twitter.com/ttHgfFPNaQ

— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) September 23, 2025

Idris further described the Council as a transparent system that empowers practitioners and enhances the quality of media output.

“The creative media sector is brimming with talent, but often lacks structured pathways for recognising skills, obtaining certification, and aligning with industry standards. For us in the Ministry, the synergy is clear. Well-trained and certified media professionals will not only raise the standard of our broadcast content but also strengthen media literacy, combat misinformation, and project Nigeria’s image positively both at home and abroad. Your work directly supports our mandate to ensure the dissemination of credible, ethical, and professional information,” he added.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Bugaje, underscored the importance of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme, which aims to certify informally trained professionals.

“The Council is also going to engage the private sector, not only the public institutions of this important sector, so that we can now bring standardisation and certification. We hope this collaboration will turn around the fortunes of the creative media industry in Nigeria.

“Nigerian creative media is already creating waves across the world. And with these interventions, we can consolidate on that and become a hub for the trade of creative media experts.

“With skills, one can become relevant, one can get employment, and one can even employ oneself. So we are trying to reinvent the education and re-engineer the architecture of Nigeria’s education system so that we will focus it on skills in terms of content, in terms of the delivery, and even in terms of the hands-on content of our education system,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Creative Media Sector Skills Council, Fatima Abubakar, emphasised the importance of industry-led participation.

“The Creative Media Sector Skills Council has over 70% private sector participation, and is aligning with global best practices to ensure industry drives skill development.

“This initiative is not about reinventing the wheel; it is about providing a clear pathway for our professionals to grow. By integrating the NSQF, we can.

“This partnership will give a much-needed boost to our Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiatives, ensuring our institutions produce industry-ready graduates.

“It will establish a national benchmark for skills, promoting a culture of continuous learning and professional development within our media agencies,” she said.

The Minister said that President Tinubu’s vision is to ensure Nigeria’s creative and broadcast media workforce is globally competitive, nationally certified, and contributes meaningfully to job creation, economic growth, and national cohesion.

The Ebonyi State government has disbursed ₦100 million in cash support and distributed relief materials to 894 victims of the recent flood disaster in Enohia Itim community, Afikpo Local Government Area of the state.

The flood, which ravaged the community between July and August this year, claimed eight lives and destroyed houses, crops, and property worth millions of naira.

Relief items distributed included bags of rice, garri, mattresses, and buckets. Families who lost loved ones received ₦1 million each, while those whose crops were destroyed got ₦500,000 each. Other affected victims received ₦250,000 apiece.

In addition, every beneficiary received four bags of rice, two bags of garri, a mattress, and buckets.

The distribution, which began at the council headquarters, was supervised by the Commissioner for Human Capital Development, Mrs Ann Aligwe.

“When we got information that the Enohia Itim community was affected by a flood disaster, which claimed lives and destroyed property, we quickly dispatched our officials to the community.

“After this assessment and evaluation, we went to His Excellency and discussed with him. He immediately approved hundreds of millions and said we should procure relief materials, food items and also give cash to all the people affected by the flood in Enohia Itim,” she said.

Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Chief Timothy Nwachi, described the government as responsive and timely in its interventions.

“The government is responding, not just responding but responding timely,” he stated.