The Akwa Ibom State Government is set to officially launch the Tree Crop Revolution as part of its broader plan to transform the agricultural sector and strengthen food security. The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to achieving all targets set by Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D., under the State’s agricultural transformation agenda.
Prince Uwah gave this assurance during an inaugural strategy meeting held at Government House, Uyo, with the Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) and the State Committee on Agriculture and Food Security. The meeting marked a significant step toward realigning efforts to enhance productivity and coordination in the agricultural sector.
Following the Governor’s recent directive, AKADEP, which was previously under the Ministry of Agriculture, will now operate as a stand-alone agency under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. The restructuring is designed to improve coordination, enhance service delivery, and speed up the implementation of the administration’s agricultural revolution agenda.
Addressing the meeting, Prince Uwah assured stakeholders of the government’s readiness to deliver visible results within the set timelines. He emphasized the State’s focus on boosting tree crop production, which will serve as a long-term driver for food security and wealth creation.
“His Excellency has given a clear directive on the Tree Crop Revolution and expects visible results within a defined timeline. We are fully committed to that goal. With AKADEP now directly under the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, we are positioned to ensure faster coordination and timely results,” Prince Uwah stated.
He further pledged his office’s full support to ensure the revitalization of AKADEP and the smooth execution of the Governor’s agricultural vision. According to him, the Tree Crop Revolution will stimulate economic diversification, create employment opportunities, and encourage youth involvement in agribusiness across Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking during the meeting, Professor Trenchard Ibia, who represented the State Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, commended Governor Umo Eno for his decisive leadership and quick intervention in rehabilitating the headquarters of AKADEP.
“We applaud the Governor’s swift action and the speed with which work has commenced at the AKADEP head office. We are confident this will translate into real progress in agricultural growth and development across the State,” Prof. Ibia remarked.
In his briefing, the Programme Manager of AKADEP, Mr. Emma Ekanem, provided updates on the agency’s restructuring process. He reiterated that the agency is fully aligned with the Governor’s agricultural development goals and is ready to deliver meaningful outcomes.
“We are aligning every activity with the Governor’s agricultural vision. The renewed energy within AKADEP is already evident,” he assured.
Among those present at the strategy meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Imaobong Okon; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Barr. Morgan Ekanem; members of the State Committee on Agriculture and Food Security; and departmental heads from AKADEP.
After the meeting, Prince Uwah led members of the committee and AKADEP officials on an inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation work at the agency’s head office in Uyo. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made and reaffirmed the government’s determination to deliver sustainable and impactful agricultural results.
The Tree Crop Revolution, a key initiative under the ARISE Agenda, focuses on promoting high-yield tree crop cultivation using improved varieties, generating wealth, enhancing food security, and supporting economic diversification in Akwa Ibom State.