Gov Eno Tasks EXCO Members To Recommit To Ideals Of ARISE Agenda

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has tasked members of the State Executive Council to recommit to the ideals of the ARISE Agenda by working extra hard to ensure the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.
Pastor Umo Eno, who stated this, Thursday, during the State Executive Council meeting at the State EXCO Chambers of the Governor’s  Office, Uyo, thanked council members for their support throughout the period of the State’s progressive movement.
Eno directed the commissioner for finance, Mr Emem Bob, to take over the coordination and supervision of the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport to ensure that all projects and programmes continue seamlessly and are delivered within timelines.
This information was contained in the excerpts of the State Executive Council meeting issued by the commissioner for information, Elder Aniekan Umanah. 
Umanah, in the excerpts, said the meeting, which had Eno sitting as Governor in Council, was attended by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; secretary to the state government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien; executive assistant and chief delivery advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson, as well as commissioners and special advisers. 
He said the council considered a presentation by the Ministry of Youth Development on the Akwa Ibom State Youth Development Roadmap and approved the hosting of the ARISE Skills Development Week scheduled for July 13 to 15, 2025, to coincide with the United Nations Youth Skills Development Day.
Umanah said EXCO further approved the commencement of youth engagement programmes, including the establishment of youth friendly centres across the entire State to serve as a hub for learning, collaboration and innovation, with a pilot in Uyo, the State capital.
The commissioner made known that the council, in order to improve Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the State, reviewed the various WASH documents presented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, including the Akwa Ibom State WASH policy, WASH monitoring and evaluation framework, the roadmap for making Akwa Ibom State open defecation free by 2030, and the Akwa Ibom State Water Regulation Bill 2025, directing the attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, to ensure transmission of the draft bill to the State House of Assembly for consideration and passage into law.
According to him, EXCO had also reviewed the State’s investment books and directed the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP) to exit the State government from non-profitable companies and ventures, while further approving the inclusion of the attorney general and commissioner for Justice, and that of Finance as statutory members of all boards of government-owned establishments.
Umanah, as indicated in the excerpts, said following a presentation by the Ministry of Sports, council approved the hosting of Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival 2025 in order to rekindle sports development and ensure youth sport activities in the State.
The activities, according to him, will commence from July to September, 2025, with a coordinating committee to be headed by the commissioner for sports, Elder Paul Bassey.
In addition, he said the executive council acknowledged the celebration of the Civil Service Week, and congratulated the head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien and public servants in the State for a very impactful celebration, promising full participation of the State government in the events lined up to celebrate the week.