Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged the newly elected leadership of the State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) to work closely with his administration and avoid sentiments that could divide the State. He made the call when he received the new youth leaders at Government House. The Governor, who had just returned from the gym dressed in shorts and a Polo tee-shirt, restated his focus on youth development, stressing that his government created a separate Ministry for Youth Development because of his strong belief in the future of young people.
He charged the council Chairman and his team to pursue impactful programmes that will leave lasting legacies. According to him, “During your tenure as Chairman, you should be able to say you pioneered this or that programme with your executive. That is the legacy you should leave behind. Work with the Honourable Commissioner to train and develop our young people. That is all I expect from you, not to fight yourself or the Government.”
The Governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to peace and unity, cautioning the youths against being used by individuals to cause unrest. He said, “There is no point in fighting each other. It is time for you to come together, sit together, work together, bring up programmes for the development of youths of Akwa Ibom State.”
He advised the leaders not to be swayed by those who may have sponsored their elections, stressing that their main commitment should be to the State. “From the faces I have seen here, I believe that you are good people and you should be able to collaborate and work with each other. Don’t bring ethnic sentiments here. We should work together. It is not about Ibibio, Annang, or Oro. You are all young people, and Akwa Ibom is one. Our forebears worked together, that is why we had the Ibibio State College in Annang Land,” the Governor said.
Governor Eno praised the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, and the Electoral Board for the successful conduct of the election, urging the Commissioner to continue working with the new executive to advance youth empowerment initiatives under the ARISE Agenda.
Earlier, Dr. Ekanem recalled that it had been two years since the dissolution of the immediate past Executive Council of the NYCN. He explained that the election of new members was successfully conducted, in line with the Council’s constitution. He also commended the Governor for creating a separate Ministry of Youth Development and for supporting programmes that focus on youth empowerment. “Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity and platform to get our youths developed. Here before you are the new elected members of the State Youth Executive Council of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State. The election was conducted successfully two days ago, and in line with the constitution of the National Youth Council of Nigeria,” Dr. Ekanem stated.
In his response, the newly elected State Chairman of the NYCN, Emmanuel Uko Ekong, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity to serve. He assured that the new executive would work with stakeholders to develop the youths of Akwa Ibom and align with the ARISE Agenda of the State Government.
Other members of the executive include Faith Godwin Akpan as Deputy Chairman, Peter Naphtali Akpan as Secretary, Oboho Akaiso Etim as Vice Chairman for Eket Senatorial District, Sunday Ubong Amanam as Vice Chairman for Uyo Senatorial District, Johnson Imoh Inyang as Vice Chairman for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Urom Nseobong Mfonobong as Legal Adviser, and Udom Udokang Utitofon as Vice Chairman HQTRS.
Also elected were Akpan Friday Udo as Deputy Program Officer, David Solomon Ekpa as Organizing Secretary (Uyo), Abigail David Okon as Internal Auditor, Nsikak Abasi Okon Edet as Assistant Secretary, Otuwa Ubong Okon as Treasurer, John Nse Emmanuel as Organizing Secretary (Ikot Ekpene), and Sunday Ntiedo Ufot as Assistant Public Relations Officer. Others include Katomba Samuel Kingston as Organizing Secretary (Eket), Ibara Paul Paul as Public Relations Officer, Mfon Peter Akpan as Social Secretary, Ubong Effiong as Financial Secretary, Victor Archiving Etok as Programme Officer, Anietie Ita Nsikak as Organizing Secretary (HQTRS), and Akpan Anietie Benedict as Director of Entrepreneurship.
Additional members announced are Ubon Effiong Nelson as Director of Transport, Victor Edikpo as Director of Waterways, Augustine Aniema Bassey as Director of Education Monitoring, Akpan Demas Sunday as Director of Mobilization, Idot-eyen Thomas as Director of SDG, Brighten Sunday Maxwell as Director of Oil and Gas, Effiong Eyo Tuka as Director of Communication, and Akan Asukwo Offiong as Director of Intelligence.