… says ARISE Agenda focuses on present, and future generations
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has said the State Government is set to recommence the construction of the Uyo Convention Center located in the state capital
He also said the state-owned senior citizens’ center will be flagged off tomorrow, Saturday, January 25, 2025.
Speaking at the Rotary International District 9142 Mid-Year Assembly, the Governor said the economic development blueprint of his administration, the ARISE Agenda is focused on ensuring the wellbeing and interests of the present and future generations as well as building peace.
In his presentation titled “Peace and Ethical Responsibility,” Governor Eno who was the keynote speaker at the event, said peace is a major catalyst of development adding that he has diligently kept to his electioneering campaign promise to reduce the flaming passion for partisan politics by politicians and replace it with the soothing balm of inclusivity which has made politics only an agent for development.
He said governance under his leadership is run across party lines, adding that Akwa Ibom is seen as an oasis of peace, where leaders across party lines are accorded due respect, and their thoughts on most issues taken seriously, so long as they seek to promote the Akwa Ibom interest.
“Though we are a PDP State, we don’t operate governance based on the ‘winner -takes – it all’ approach. In every major intervention we have made, the political label is not a factor we consider, it has always been a pan-Akwa Ibom mindset in the distribution of palliatives, the construction of ARISE Humanitarian Homes, and grants given to Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs), to projects executed in local government areas.
“Today, at most State functions, you will see politicians and stakeholders across party lines, embracing each other and celebrating our kindredship and oneness devoid of the zero-sum game machinations.”
He listed some of his development efforts including; agricultural revolution and food sufficiency, opening up of 57 ARISE Road projects while completing inherited ones, creating a stand-alone Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways and the community-based security outfit – the Ibom Community Watch, to deepen peace and security, establishing primary healthcare facilities across the three senatorial districts, and model primary schools whose standards can be compared to any such facility the world.
He also mentioned the ARISE Park and sustained obligations to Ibom Air including the outright purchase of two CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft and reception of two Airbus A-200-300 Series, thus bringing the total fleet of the airline to nine, as some of his major achievements.
Also on the unending list of achievements he mentioned were the ARISE Compassionate Homes, the ARISE Elders Initiative, the Health Insurance Scheme, the training of thousands of youths in marketable and entrepreneurial skills, and paying down N47 billion in gratuities from the accumulated backlog since 2012.
The Governor who has been awarded Governor of the Year 2024 by Leadership Newspaper, and also nominated as Governor of the Year by other reputable platforms including This Day Newspaper/ Arise News, said, “We have run a government predicated on transparency, integrity and these all align with Rotary’s Four Way Test.
“We came to serve our people, with passion, fairness, and with the pledge to leave the State better than we met it. This we are dedicated to achieving under peaceful, inclusive and ethical atmosphere,” he added.
Governor Eno, himself a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, appreciated the District Governor and members of Rotary International District 9142 for inviting him as the keynote speaker and urged members to stay true to the ideals and foundational principles of the body by promoting love and understanding rather than dabbling into areas that portend division and alienation.
In his remarks, the District Governor, Professor Nkemdili Nnonyeleu appreciated the Governor for honouring their invitation, and for his impactful leadership in the State, saying that Governor Eno is a true ambassador of Rotary International.
