Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state said his administration has broadened youth participation in governance across all 31 local government areas (LGAs) during the three‑year implementation of the “Arise Agenda”, officials announced at a ministerial briefing held at Government House in Uyo to mark the state’s 39th anniversary.
Commissioner for Youths Dr Ekerette Ekanem, speaking alongside Commissioner for Information Hon Aniekan Umanah, said the government has trained, constructed and equipped Youth Development Centres in every LGA. Eleven of these centres have already been commissioned, with the remaining projects ongoing.
According to the commissioner, the administration has appointed Personnel Assistants from 369 wards, absorbed 7,000 youths into the state civil service and verified 2,133 youths for training within the state security architecture. The “Arise Youth Skill Day” awards cash prizes to between 25 and 50 participants, a programme she linked to United Nations youth‑skill initiatives.
Education‑related support includes payment of ₦6.9 billion for WAEC/NABTEB examination fees for secondary‑school students, ₦1.96 billion in bursaries for tertiary‑level students and a ₦50,000 stipend for each youth who completed the recent computer‑based test for civil‑service recruitment. An additional ₦20,000 has been added to the allowance for Akwa Ibom indigenes serving in the National Youth Service Scheme.
“Don’t mind our critics who have gone to social media claiming that Akwa Ibom indigenes have been neglected in this exercise,” Dr Ekanem said, urging youths to mobilise support for the re‑election of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno in the 2027 general elections.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
