ARISE AGENDA: GOV ENO’S STERLING LEADERSHIP AND GENUINE LOVE FOR AKWA IBOM YOUTHS
By Jeremiah Edoho
Governor Umo Eno’s sterling, earnest and conscientious leadership perspicacity is undisputable. His bravery for the transfer of entrepreneurship spirit to the youth of Akwa Ibom State is obvious to even the opposition elements. He has within the past 18 months shown to the world that governance can indeed punctuate and dismantle the superfluous conception of politics by building bridges of harmonious and peaceful coexistence and sustainable initiatives aimed at empowering youths across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State.
It is salient therefore, to admit that policies and programmes initiated by the Umo Eno’s administration, have conspicuously penetrated the rural areas. This conclusion can be unarguably attested to by the glaring testament from hundreds of youths who have been significantly impacted in terms of job opportunity, human capacity building and entrepreneurial advancement in conformity with the ARISE Agenda policy drive.
Showcasing his imbued impressive leadership characteristics, immediately after taking the oath of office on Monday, May 29, 2023, as the 5th democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he assured the world that he will be governor for all Akwa Ibom people, irrespective of party affiliations. And truly, he has been nothing but a God-sent leader whose burning desire for human capacity development has pleased God and man.
In his words; “I ask you to A.R.I.S.E with us and lets usher in the Golden Era for our dear State and our people. Elections are over, and our kindred spirit must be renewed and deepened. I call on our people to come together, and let’s build a State where the pain of one Akwaibomite is the pain of all, and where the success of one Akwaibomite is the success for all”.
While some perceived in him the beginning of fresh air for a better Akwa Ibom, those who are not in tandem with progress, took the governor’s speech as mere political assertion from the usually conventional politician. But Pastor Eno, whose inclination to developed the State got the massive crowd of dignitaries, supporters, partly faithful and entire youth structure who had converged at the Nest of Champions to witness hia swearing-in, amazed and optimistic for a more prosperous, peaceful, safe and united Akwa Ibom, based on his obvious impeccable leadership attributes as a celebrated clergy and businessman who has excelled with parallel distinctions.
In this article, I will summarize how Governor Umo Eno, has exhibited undisputed sterling leadership and genuine love in empowering Akwa Ibom youth in accordance with his ARISE Agenda, using the four major areas below:
•Entrepreneurial and Skill Development
•Promoting Youth Leadership in Governance
•Job Creation
•Gender Inclusivity.
⏹ Entrepreneurial and Skill Development: As a passionate and innovative leader, having understudied youth significant roles in nation building, has assiduously worked to deepened democracy through the “Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre” (Ibom-LED), an Initiative he set up in 2023, to train, develop and empower Akwa Ibomites in Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills with starter-packs and grants provided to enable them become self reliance.
To effectively drive home success, the Governor, kick started these initiatives with a donation of N250 million for the training of the first batch of 400 participants. The Ibom-LED initiative has afforded Akwa Ibomites a comprehensive training programs such as the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme (EAP), Business Mastery Program (BMP), and Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program (BLEP) aimed at supporting and nurturing entrepreneurs.
Due to obvious positive impact recorded in the first phase, the Governor, announced another disbursement of business support grants of ₦500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) to 800 trainees after completion of training with their business outlets across the State branded. Today, Ibom-LED initiative is acknowledged as one of the remarkable steps taken by Governor Umo Eno to achieve his goal of developing and empowering Akwa Ibom youths. One of the beneficiary of the Initiative, Jones Okon Akpan, a person living with disability, showcased remarkable entrepreneurial spirit by gifting the governor a pair of shoes made by him. The Governor, who was touched by Jones’s gesture, doubled his grant and pledged support to train and empower another 5,000 entrepreneurs like Jones to become fully established. In deed, Governor Eno’s love for Akwa Ibom youth is undiluted.
⏹Promoting Youth Leadership and Engagement: According to an ancient philosopher, “Aristotle”, in one of his book, postulated that the role of a leader is to create the environment in which all members of an organization have the opportunity to realize their own potential. Analytically, the above postulation by Aristotle, portrays Governor Umo Eno, as a leader who came on board with a symbolic mark and desire for excellence.
Governor Umo Eno, has outstandingly demonstrated his sincerity and love for Akwa Ibom youth by appointing one youth per ward, across the 31 LGAs as his Personal Assistant. The ward PAs in collaboration with stakeholders, were constantly working with the Bulk Purchasing Agency, to ensure beneficiaries captured in the social register across the state received either a 5kg bag of rice, garri or beans.
Evidently, the workaholic Governor, during the Youth appreciation Rally, held at the Uyo Township Stadium, again showcased rare leadership and, rewarded the leadership of the youth structure for their support, peaceful conduct and for boycotting the #Endbadgovernance protest. This decision has indurated the bond of unity, coordination and confidence of youth in politics and governance.
⏹ Job Creation and Peaceful Coexistence: Truth be told, Governor Eno has shown unwavering commitment to ensure job creation despite undue distractions. His apolitical approach of unifying the State into one big socio-economic hub and, ensuring the State maintains its current status on the global map as one of the most peaceful and safe in the country is mesmerizing.
This strategic icon of development, whom we all know is not ready to give any room for breakdown or law and order, had on November 26, 2024, on the floor of the State House of Assembly, while presenting the ₦955 billion Budget Estimates for the year 2025, informed members of the State Assembly that his government has proscribed the Ibom Youth Council, whose activities was seen as threat to established laws and order. To concretize its agenda for the youth, he launched the Security Trust Fund with the creation of the “Ibom Community Watch”. Another laudable approach to enhance security, guarantee the safety of lives and property for more progressive result.
In his avowed intention to maximally ameliorate povery, also announced the employment of 6,000 Akwa Ibom youth under the Ibom Community Watch employment program, while an additional 10,000 youth will receive 50,000 Naira monthly until permanent job opportunities can be secured for them.
The ARISE Youth Employment Portal, which aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal on poverty reduction, is designed to ensure youths are gainfully employed, especially in sectors such as Ibom Watch and Health/Safety monitoring, which was part of the promises made in its Charter with Akwa Ibom youths.
⏹Gender Inclusivity: Regardless of our place of residence, gender inequality such as sexual violence and discrimination in public office persists everywhere and stagnates social progress. But, the Umo Eno led government considers promoting gender equality critical to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting the health, education, protection and the well-being of both gender which, he has performed creditably well by creating more positions in leadership for women to occupy.
Take for instance, the recently conducted local Government election was a clear manifest with the emergence of 5 elected female council chairmen, 30 vice chairmen and more than 110 female councillors. He has also engaged women coordinators across the 31 Local Government Areas to drive the Gender inclusive structure of his ARISE Agenda policy. This particular action has earned him wide commendations and accolades within and outside the State.
In recognition of his bold step and dedication to promote gender inclusivity, few months ago, the Governor was honoured as the Most Gender-Friendly Governor of the Year 2024, at the Supreme Special Recognition Awards (SUSRA) at Golden Gate Restaurant in Ikoyi, Lagos.
If Governor Eno, could get all these done within his first one year and 7 months in office, it is possible to predict what would be achieved in the remaining 6 years and few months.
Truly, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno’s sterling leadership and genuine love for Akwa Ibom youth cannot be disputed and, should be supported, encouraged and sustained by all Akwa Ibomites within and in diaspora.
Jeremiah Edoho
Personal Assistant To
the Governor on New Media,
Writes from Idua, Ntak-Inyang,
Esit Eket LGA.
donjerry171@gmail.com
