AKWA IBOM YOUTH MINISTRY DISMISSES FALSE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST COMMISSIONER
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Youth Development has strongly refuted a publication by “The Guide Newspaper of Wednesday 8 – Tuesday 14, July 2026”, alleging that the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, diverted funds meant for the 2,272 Village Youth Presidents in the State.
Describing the report as false, malicious and devoid of factual basis, the Ministry said the publication was a calculated attempt to malign the Commissioner, mislead the public and undermine the credibility of the Ministry’s youth development programmes.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s Information and Public Relations Unit, the Ministry stated unequivocally that the Honourable Commissioner neither diverted nor misappropriated any funds allocated for the Village Youth Presidents’ programme.
According to the statement, all financial transactions connected with the programme were executed strictly in line with established government financial regulations and approved administrative procedures, with every expenditure duly authorized and properly accounted for.
The Ministry further described the allegation that over ₦68 million was pocketed as entirely baseless, noting that the publication relied on anonymous sources and speculative claims without presenting any credible evidence.
It also dismissed as fabricated the claim attributed to an unnamed Ministry official regarding deductions for logistics, stressing that no official of the Ministry made or authorized such a statement.
The Ministry urged members of the public to disregard the publication, insisting that it was designed to create unnecessary distrust and discredit the youth-focused programmes of the administration of Governor Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, under the ARISE Agenda.
Reaffirming the Commissioner’s commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources, the Ministry maintained that Dr. Ekerette Ekanem remains focused on delivering the mandate of the Ministry and advancing youth development across Akwa Ibom State.
While warning against the spread of misinformation, the Ministry disclosed that it reserves the right to pursue appropriate legal action against individuals or organizations responsible for publishing or circulating defamatory materials intended to damage the reputation of the Commissioner and the Ministry.
The statement advised the public to rely only on information disseminated through official government communication channels and disregard unverified reports aimed at misleading the public.
Information & Public Relations Unit
Ministry of Youth Development