Commissioner For Local Govt & Chieftaincy Affairs Meets Council Chairmen, Leaders Of LG Legislative Council
...Harps On Effective Preparations For Upcoming Sports Festival, Voter Registration Exercise
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akwa Ibom State, Mkpisong Frank Archibong has charged Local Government Council Chairmen to prepare effectively for the forthcoming sports festival in the State as well as the upcoming continuous voter registration exercise.
Hon Archibong was speaking in Uyo when he and his counterparts in the Sports, Information and Youth Ministries met with all the Local Government Chairmen on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The Commissioner, who stressed the importance of unity and peace among constituents, charged the chairmen to mobilise their people to engage actively in the voter registration exercise, obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card, (PVC) to forestall voter apathy.
Archibong called for more collaborations with INEC officials through the provision of the needed enabling environment to aid officials of the electoral board sail smoothly in their operations for quality delivery of service to the people.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, while briefing the Council helmsmen of activities lined up for the sports festival, stated that the exercise is billed to commence on September 8-13, 2025 with the opening ceremony in Uyo, the State capital.
He tasked the 31 Local Government Chairmen under the auspices of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), to start early preparations ahead of the sports festival to compete in the 18 sporting activities lined up for the event.
Elder Bassey assured of a hitch-free and unbiased officiating process during the competition, adding that the festival will help in discovering new talents for future national and global competitions.
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In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon Aniekan Umanah, Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs, Barr Kufre Udosen, and Political Adviser to the Governor, Dr Godwin Ntukudeh, called on the Chairmen to engage all relevant stakeholders in their localities in effective mobilisation of citizens within the age bracket of 18 and above, to participate actively in the Voter registration exercise for their PVCs.
On his part, the Chairman of ALGON, Dr Uwemedimo Udo, thanked the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Archibong and his colleagues for convening the meeting which he said is timely.
He pledged to work in collaboration with his colleagues to galvanise support for the successful voter registration exercise, and a hitch-free sports festival in Akwa Ibom State.
Dr Udo, who is the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, called on his fellow Chairmen to see the upcoming sports festival as a ground to groom quality sports ambassadors that will represent the State in both national and international competitions.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mkpisong Frank Archibong has interfaced with leaders of the Local Government Legislative Councils where he appreciated the Councillors for their loyalty and support to Governor Umo Eno and the ARISE Agenda.
Describing them as an integral part of the success story of the present administration, the Commissioner lauded them for working in synergy with their respective Council Chairmen to move their Local Government Areas forward.
He urged them not to rest on their oars as team players while assuring that their interests and welfare remain the priority of the State Government as evidenced in the increment of their monthly salaries amid other increments and provisions underway.
The Commissioner announced that the State Government has finalised plans for their training workshop designed to build their capacities for efficiency in service delivery, adding that the date for the training program would be fixed shortly after the Sports festival.
Mkpisong Archibong urged the Councillors to work assiduously to double the voting strength in each of the wards in the State during the Voter registration exercise.
Also speaking, the Political Adviser to the Governor, Dr Godwin Ntukudeh, urged the Legislative leaders to always be on top of their game in their official responsibilities.
He harped on the need for the leaders to imbibe peace, unity, loyalty, cooperation and decorum in their conduct for the common good of the people and the overall development of the local government, adding that these would also pave the way for their future political growth.
Responding on behalf of the Legislative Council leaders, the Chairman of Councillors in the State and Ikot Abasi Leader, Hon Imoh Moses expressed gratitude to the administration of Governor Umo Eno for increasing their monthly salaries, the first in the last 20 years.
Hon Moses, who described Councillors as foot soldiers of government at the grassroots, assured that they would work hand in hand with their respective chairmen to sensitise their constituents and mop up voter registration in their respective wards.
Also in attendance were the Commissioner for Youths, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia.
