MINISTERIAL BRIEFING: ANOTHER AKWA IBOM DIALOGUE IN THE ARISE AGENDA DISCOURSE

December 16 and 18, 2024, will in the annals of history of Akwa Ibom State, remain indelible, as a 3-day period, where, yet another referendum was conducted in the state, to find a way forward for the government and people of Akwa Ibom state.

An idea described by Stakeholders and Elder statesmen in the Akwa Ibom project as unique and lofty, the gains of the ministerial briefing under the leadership of an astute Leader, Governor Umo Eno, continues to count for good.

Minutes by minutes briefing, different Commissioners, Heads of Departments, Chairmen of Boards and commissions, took centre stage, in telling Akwa Ibom people, how they have fared in the last 12-18 months, the challenges, and what to expect as we move to 2025. The commitment by the Commissioner for Health, that the usage of POS machines at pay points in government health facilities will come to fruition in 2025 and the directive by His Excellency, for the Ministry to commence the recruitment of Health Workers.

The performance of Akwa Ibom students in their educational pursuit, top on the list was the emergence of an Akwa Ibom child as the best student in WAEC, for public schools, which the Commissioner for Education stated.

The successful organization of the Christmas unplugged 2.0, the perimeter fencing of the Christmas park, and the installation of solar lights along Udo Udoma avenue.

The building of more ARISE compassionate homes for the vulnerable, the target for an increased internally generated revenue, the tracking system of tricycles under the Ministry of Transport. All these and more, formed the crux on which the briefing had reeled out.

Whoever works with Governor Umo Eno, understands that he is a man who has a stickler for excellence. If you must be the Governor’s ally, then excuses must be far from you. At all times, deliverables must be your watch word. It was not a surprise, when His Excellency put up, what has come to stay, and what we have not witnessed in other states in Nigeria.

In July 2023, two months after being sworn in as Governor, Pastor Umo Eno had organized Akwa Ibom Dialogue at the Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, where Experts in different fields of endeavours, had gathered, to cross breed ideas on the ARISE AGENDA of the administration, and the way forward on its implementation.

At the Ibom Dialogue, the Governor said, “The ARISE Agenda is not just a political manifesto, but a detailed and well-articulated governance blueprint that would enhance optimal utilization of the state’s rich human and material resources to deliver for the state, a vibrant, inclusive, diversified and highly industrialized economy.”

‘He highlighted the essence of the Dialogue, saying that exposing the Agenda for further analysis by experts and stakeholders across party and ideological lines to reason together in furtherance of the Akwa Ibom dream was imperative to get the people buy-in and take ownership in its articulation and eventual implementation.’

Over a year after the Akwa Ibom Dialogue held, its fruits are what the state has gained, with the Ministry of Internal Security, as a product of the dialogue, the creation and merger of ministries, and appointment of individuals in government. Edem Ebong, who had followed the event, said, “Akwa Ibom State is on a journey in a new era, the people must take ownership of the plan and partner the state government to play a part in the advancement of Akwa Ibom State.”

It is imperative to note that, in juxtaposing the Akwa Ibom Dialogue and the Ministerial Briefing, one thing that we must take out, is that, the discourse on the ARISE AGENDA is a continuous process, as the Governor is deliberate on executing the agenda, in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

As the Akwa Ibom Dialogue had produced gains for the people, the ministerial briefing, will definitely produce its own benefits, as we continue to rally support for the Governor in his drive for developmental renaissance in the state. One year from today, we will look back and thank Governor Umo Eno yet again, on the wonderful ideas he is implementing in Akwa Ibom State.

Dr. Eneh John is a Journalist and writes from Ibeye Ikot Ndito, Ikot Uso Ekong, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

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