Akwa Ibom gov unveils youth development centre

Princess Usoro Akpabio at the commissioning ceremony. REDIT: Emem Julius

Governor Umo Eno has intensified his youth empowerment drive with the commissioning of a youth development centre in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The centre is designed to equip young people with practical skills, promote entrepreneurship and create opportunities for self-reliance.

Eno was represented at the commissioning ceremony on Saturday by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-South Development Commission, Princess Usoro Akpabio.

The governor described the centre as more than a building, saying it represented an investment in the skills, talents and future of young people.

He said, “For me, this occasion is particularly special because Uruan is home. To our youths, this centre is yours. Please use it, protect it and make it productive. Let ideas, businesses and success stories emerge from here.”

Eno added that the Uruan centre was part of his administration’s plan to establish similar facilities across the 31 local government areas of the state.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area, Surv. Iniobong Ekpenyong, commended the governor for translating the ARISE Agenda into tangible development across sectors.

“Your Excellency, you have done well in all facets of governance. This place is more than just a facility; it is a hub where our youths can acquire valuable skills and develop themselves.

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“The vision you had for the youths of Uruan has come to fruition. Our youths are very hardworking and industrious, and I am confident that they will make judicious and maximum use of this facility,” he said.

The Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Sen. Aniekan Bassey, said the large turnout at the commissioning reflected the people’s appreciation of the governor’s interventions in Uruan.

“Your Excellency, the joyous crowd you are seeing here is not just about the Youth Development Centre. It is about the eight Compassionate Homes dotted across Uruan. It is about those you have trained through DASAC and Ibom LED. It is about the appointments and numerous projects you have executed in Uruan,” Bassey said.

Also speaking, the member representing Uruan State Constituency, Hon. Dr Itoro Etim, and the Political Adviser to the Governor, Akparawa Godwin Ntukudeh, said the initiative demonstrated the governor’s commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for youths in rural communities.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, described Eno as a game changer, noting that the centres would give young people the tools to become entrepreneurs and employers of labour and prepare them to compete globally.

The commissioning is part of activities marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, with the state government targeting youth skills development and enterprise creation across all 31 local government areas.