By Udeme Hosea

The Akwa Ibom State EXCO Ministerial briefing, which took place from December 16 to 18, 2024 at government house banquet hall , has come to a close. The three-day event, attended by stakeholders including traditional rulers, civil society organizations,  women and youth leaders and media representatives, reviewed the state government’s achievements over the past 18 months.

The briefing showcased Governor Umo Eno’s humility, active listening skills, and patience as he sat through presentations by his commissioners and took note of stakeholders’ reactions and criticisms.

Watching the governor’s patience to sit down and take note of the reactions, contributions, observations, and criticisms of the stakeholders and open scrutiny while his commissioners presented their scorecards, uncovered his intersectionality, purpose-driven, inclusion, human kindness, passion for service, transparency, accountability, and compassion for human development, especially promoting small-scale enterprises.

Addressing the stakeholders, the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno reaffirmed his commitment to run a transparent and inclusive government, pointed out that, his administration is open to ideas to deliver the ARISE Agenda for a better Akwa Ibom State.

He highlighted his administration’s achievements in the agricultural sector, human development, and in the tourism sector, which included the commencement of payment of ₦15,000 to Akwa Ibom unemployed graduates who registered on the ARISE unemployment portal and his determination to promote small medium scale enterprises and food sufficiency among others.

“The season is to encourage small-scale enterprises and create the middle class, which the state is doing through Ibom-led in partnership with the Bank of Industry”.

 “We need to create a farmer’s wallet to be able to verify farmers so that we can reach any farmer in this state. We can off take produce from them. I believe we are really pushing Agriculture, and I love the engagement we are getting from people being involved in Agriculture”.

Presenting the Ministry of Culture and Tourism scorecard, the commissioner, Sir Charles Udoh, in his usual element, injected creativity into the sector, which resulted in an unprecedented vibes  at the ongoing Christmas Unplugged season 2.

He mentioned his achievements to include consolidating on the gains of Christmas Unplugged season 1 and 2023 Coral service to restructure  the ongoing activities and construction at the Christmas Park, Udo-Udoma Avenue to meet international standards of a tourism park.

Udoh further added that ,his ministry has taken advantage of the state’s shorelines to develop tourism activities that will attract investors, construction of the ARISE Park at Brooks Street, ongoing maintenance of Ibom Hotels for the first time since it was built in 2007, deployment of Destination Akwa Ibom marketing company to turn Ibeno Beach into a tourism hub, and restoration of the old slave boat at Marine Beach, Nwaniba, among other laudable achievements of the ministry.

While appreciating Pastor Umo Eno for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet and massive support to make the state a tourism hub and destination, Udoh hinted that the state’s economic value of tourism has a multiplier effect on the business community, from taxi drivers to market women and Keke riders.

On his part, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Prince Akpan Ikim, applauded Pastor Umo Eno for acquiring waste management equipment for the agency, saying the new trucks have assisted the agency in daily waste evacuation.

He, however, disclosed his agency’s plan to turn waste to wealth, which he said recycling companies are ready to partner with the state to achieve once the new dumpsite is operational.

Ikim also commended Pastor Umo Eno for the deployment of 100 personnel from the Ibom Community Watch as Environment Marshals, which has helped in enforcing environmental laws, lamented the attitude of citizens towards waste disposal.

On her part, the state Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor,  who reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring food sufficiency in the state, hinted that all farmers in the state are given improved varieties of cassava cutting and other farm inputs to boost their production, pointed out that the feedback is encouraging.

“A lot of people are now involved in Agriculture because we are constantly being contacted by people for support on how to better their farms; this is one of the ways we have been able to measure attitudinal change, and recently, the governor said he will reward those who keyed into Agricultural development programs this year.”

“All farmers in the state are given improved varieties of cutting. With the varieties and technical support we have given to them, we trust that their output will improve by next year.”

 She further announced that the ministry under her watch has registered cooperative societies for the purpose of encouraging agricultural development.

“In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture, in line with the ARISE AGENDA of the present administration, has registered over 2,000 cooperative societies for the purpose of fostering Agricultural enterprises. Through AK-CARES and RAAMP initiatives, we facilitated the expansion