•Governor Umo Eno
BY JEREMIAH EDOHO
In a bold step to strengthen youth empowerment, reduce unemployment, and deepen inclusive development across Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno, PhD, has flagged off the construction of the ARISE Youth-Friendly Centres, a groundbreaking initiative that promises to reshape the social and economic realities of rural communities.
The project, which forms part of the governor’s ARISE Agenda, is designed to provide skill acquisition, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship development opportunities for young people, vulnerable women, and persons with disabilities, giving them renewed purpose and an active role in the growth of their communities.
The ARISE Youth-Friendly Centres are set to bridge the gap between opportunity and access by decentralising development and bringing skill-building and innovation facilities right to the doorsteps of rural dwellers.
Each centre will be equipped with ICT hubs, vocational training rooms, business incubation spaces, and counselling units, serving as multipurpose empowerment hubs for education, mentorship, and creativity, a lifeline for rural development, showcasing Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to inclusive governance and human capital advancement.
For decades, young people in Akwa Ibom’s rural communities have faced limited access to empowerment programmes, leading to urban migration, unemployment, and, in some cases, crime. By investing in rural infrastructure, the governor is creating empowerment platforms across the 31 local government areas of the state.
Following his desire to build for the people and to ensure long-term sustainability, the centres will operate on a participatory governance model in partnership with local government councils, traditional institutions, youth organisations, private sector actors, and community-based groups, reflecting Governor Eno’s emphasis on community ownership to ensure that each centre mirrors the unique socio-economic realities of its host area.
Through collaboration with local artisans, NGOs, and faith-based organisations, the centres will remain dynamic and responsive to community needs.
This participatory approach ensures sustainability and accountability, demonstrating that the administration is not only curbing unemployment but also addressing the root causes of insecurity and social unrest.
Special attention is being given to accessibility, ensuring that persons with disabilities can comfortably use the facilities and benefit from tailored training programs. For the aged, community mentorship and intergenerational learning components will be introduced. Elderly residents will be encouraged to share indigenous knowledge and experience, fostering social cohesion while remaining actively engaged in local development.
The ARISE Hubs are expected to significantly reduce youth unemployment, which often fuels social vices such as drug abuse, cultism, and petty crime.
By offering structured mentorship, skill certification, and small business incubation, the centres will transform idle energy into productive ventures and nurture a new generation of innovators and community builders.
Periodic evaluations will be conducted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the ARISE Monitoring Team, to track progress and measure real impact in communities.
The flag-off of the ARISE Youth-Friendly Centres marks another milestone in Akwa Ibom’s journey toward inclusive growth. For the young graduate seeking purpose, the rural woman striving for economic independence, the disabled person yearning for equal opportunity, and the aged farmer eager to contribute. The initiative represents renewed hope.
In conclusion, it is worthwhile to note that Governor Umo Eno’s vision at a time like this embodies a future of shared prosperity, where every citizen, regardless of location or condition, can find the opportunity to rise with the ARISE Agenda and build their dreams.
*Jeremiah Edoho writes from Idua Ntak-Inyang, Esit Eket LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
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