News
RMAFC Chairman Visits Arise Resort in Uyo, Commends Governor Umoh Eno’s Visionary Leadership
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, has applauded the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno Bassey (PhD), for the transformational development of the Arise Resort Project in Uyo, describing it as a model of visionary leadership and sustainable development.
Dr. Shehu, who led a high-powered delegation of Honourable members and some management staff on a working visit to the site, on Wednesday 30th April, 2025, expressed deep admiration for the State Government’s efforts in reclaiming over 70 hectares of severely eroded land and transforming it into a thriving eco-tourism and economic hub.
“We are truly amazed by what we have seen here today,” Dr Shehu said. “This is more than just land reclamation—it is about converting a tragedy into an opportunity for economic growth and social transformation. It takes intellect, vision, and commitment to lead such a project, and I must commend Governor Umoh Eno and his capable team.” He added.
He assured the Akwa Ibom State Government of the Commission’s support. He said, “When we see good projects, we stand by them. We will look at your request passionately and make the necessary recommendations to support you in completing this remarkable initiative.”
In his remarks, Governor Umoh Eno welcomed the RMAFC team and took them through a visual presentation of the evolution of the site—from an erosion-ravaged wasteland to a world-class resort. He appealed to the Commission for continued support, noting that the state government alone can not bear the cost of such a monumental development.
“We’ve invested billions of Naira to reclaim this land, but if we stop there, we risk creating ungoverned spaces that could become security threats,” said the Governor. “We are building this resort not just as an infrastructure project but as part of our long-term economic diversification strategy, anchored on tourism and the digital economy. We want to make this a destination for conferences, leisure, and innovation.”
The governor also disclosed that a formal request had been sent to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to commission the project upon completion.
The visit concluded with a tour of the facility by the RMAFC delegation, during which the Chairman and his team reiterated their support and pledged to advocate for federal assistance to enable the state government complete the project.
The Arise Resort is envisioned to become a premier destination for conferences, recreation, and digital innovation, making it a key pillar in Akwa Ibom’s non-oil economic development plan.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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