– By Aniekan Umanah
It has been a week of militarized ambience in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State Capital, with an unusual presence and count of military personnel in fatigues as well as combat branded vehicles from various divisions and branches across the nation. Unusual as it may, Governor Umo Eno had already taken the initiative of warning the people not to panic, as the Nigerian Army and its associates were in the state for good.
As the curtain falls on the Chief of Army Staff Combined Second and Third Quarters Conference in Uyo, the burning question is the possibility of development without peace and security. The two are like inseparable twins. Security gives birth to peace and development. Peace and security are pillars that hold the tent of development of the society.
Leaders who prioritize development always cast these pillars in concrete to build a tent that stand the test of time.
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has transformed the tent of peace and security into a skyscraper to achieve such absolute tranquility that makes it safe for residents, investors and tourists to function without fear . All of these had visible mentions and plaudits at the Uyo Conference.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has not rested on his oars in driving the State security management, rather he has upped the ante of the security game for a more peaceful State to thrive. The Nigerian Army’s choice of Uyo for the conference reflects the deliberate efforts and success story of the Umo Eno administration to achieve a peaceful State.
Like the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Toareed Abiodun Lagbaja said, the conference has always been held in Abuja. Any time the army takes the conference outside Abuja, it is held in troubled States as a way of showing force to achieve peace.
But Akwa Ibom case is different. The army brought the conference to Uyo because they needed to be in a peaceful State. Peace brought them to Uyo not war. Governor Umo Eno has already won the war on insecurity through well thought out policies and initiatives on security, with collaboration and support to security agencies, flying on the wings of his ARISE Agenda.
Upon assumption of office, Governor Umo Eno distilled his blueprint for Akwa Ibom State into the ARISE Agenda, a governance equivalent of navigation compass that is providing the lead in peace and safety.
The alphabet “S” in the acronym, ARISE stands for security management. That strategic component of the agenda has been properly executed from the trenches of ideas and creativity that continue to make Akwa Ibom State one of the safest parts of Nigeria.
This was severally acknowledged by the army top brass as they congregated in Uyo for the conference.
How did Governor Umo Eno do it? The security management component of the ARISE Agenda has found expression in different ways. The Governor, for the first time in Akwa Ibom State, created a brand new full fledged ministry for Internal Security and Waterways, and appointed a retired Army General, Koko Essien to manage.
So, part of the success story of security which the army acknowledged is actually made possible by one of their own, a worthy ambassador who suprintends over the State Ministry of Internal Security and Water Ways.
Having previously served on the Committees on Army and that of Airforce in the House of Representatives, I understand how the the Security System work, their success and challenges and trust it when I say the security apparatus horned by the Governor in the State is doing a great job.
Beyond that, Governor Eno created a novel Ibom Community Watch, an informal group of youths in the State that are co-ordinated by General Koko Essien to serve as support and credible source of intelligence for the statutory security agencies, and they have greatly added to the peace and security of Akwa Ibom State.
The governor believes security is as important in the waterways as it is on land. That necessitated the purchase of gunboats and other logistic support for the Nigerian Navy and indeed the entire security architecture in order for them to do their work with minimal difficulties.
Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to enhancing peace and security in the State also led to the donation of security vehicles to the police and other security agencies to help them do their job well. The donated security vehicles, fitted with modern security gadgets, are often replaced at intervals to meet with the routine security demands of the security operatives.
The Governor has a robust relationship with the service commanders in the State, giving them the necessary support.
The army conference in Uyo therefore, provided a platform to explore more areas of collaboration between the State and the military for the peace to be sustained, and possibly replicated in troubled spots of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army and the Akwa Ibom State Government enjoy a good working relationship and partnership. The 2 Brigade in Akwa Ibom State has played a crucial role in fostering peace in the State, with attendant benefits to the State and country as a whole.
The hosting of the Chief of Army Staff Conference in Akwa Ibom State could as well be the army’s signal that more good things from the army will be coming to the State.
But the Governor rightly commended the army for its efforts at enhancing operational strategies through regular conferences. It was good that this year’s edition held in Akwa Ibom State, a land of promise where ideas flourish and vision fly.
That sentiment will surely find expression in the Nigerian Army, and Governor Umo Eno remains committed to giving relevant support for the army to succeed in and out of season (conference).
Governor Umo Eno was later to lead the Nigerian Army to a sumptuous treat at a State Banquet where the best of Akwa Ibom’s hospitality and culture took the centre stage – in cuisine, dance and other performances – that thrilled the august guests in August, who found time out of their busy conference schedule to experience the unique part of the State.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Toareed Lagbaja acknowledged that Akwa Ibom State has no good second in rich culture and excellent hospitality.
Congratulations to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Toareed Lagbaja and the entire Nigerian Army for a successful Chief of Army Staff Conference 2024, and thank you, Governor Umo Eno for the support and hosting of the Nigerian Army throughout their week-long programme.
Security remains a priority for Governor Eno, and the Akwa Ibom – Nigerian Army relations remains every strengthened.
Safe travels as you depart Uyo today!
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POST SCRIPT
Adieu CP Ayilara! Condolences to the Ayilara family, Akwa Ibom State Command and indeed the Nigeria Police as a whole on the unfortunate and untimely loss of the very affable Commissioner of Police in the State. CP Ayilara made significant contributions to the peace and Security of the State.
May his gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.
