Gov Eno Gives Insight Into State Security Trust Fund

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has launched the State Security Trust Fund, focusing on enhancing security and infrastructure to attract tourists and investors, as part of efforts to transform the State into a thriving tourism hub.

At the official launch of the initiative with the theme, “Partnership for a Safer Akwa Ibom,” held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the Governor noted that security was very critical in the promotion of tourism as well as the general development of any society.

“We expect to draw millions of people annually to our state to enjoy the facilities at our Arise Resorts, which, when commissioned in December this year, will considerably be the best family-themed resort in the nation; our International Conference Centre, the shopping mall, and the hotel, all located within the Tropicana area; as well as the International Worship Centre, which is by far one of the most beautiful church buildings in Nigeria,” he said.

The Governor noted that security remains everyone’s business, hence the need to launch the trust fund which seeks to promote a public-private partnership for efficient policing of the State.

He said though Akwa Ibom remains one of the most peaceful and safest states in Nigeria, it was necessary to put machinery in place to maintain the status quo, and called on the private sector to rise to the occasion and support in this regard.

“All over the world, even in developed or mature democracies, security is a shared responsibility between governments, corporations, individuals, and agencies, and we are hopeful that with the launching of this initiative, the private sector will step up to the plate and join us in maintaining our status as a safe, secure, peaceful, inviting, and serene state to live and thrive,” he said.

The Governor appreciated security agencies in the State for their robust collaboration and cooperation.

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“That we are celebrated for being one of the safest states in the nation is because of the patriotic and passionate work they (security agencies) have done in collaboration with the government to ensure that criminals do not have a haven here in our dear state. We salute their Commanders, the Directors, officers, and men of the various security commands in the state.”

He said the State will continue to work with security agencies to ensure that security challenges are mitigated or reduced to negligible proportions, promising to always ensure an enabling environment for them to operate.

The Governor said security management is a crucial part of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, and enumerated some of the efforts in the last two years to include the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, headed by a retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army, General Koko Essien, and the creation of Ibom Community Watch which he said will soon be expanded.

He attributed the peace and security in the State to the efforts of past leaders for their single-minded devotion, which foundation he said his administration was building on.

Governor Eno appreciated the security chiefs for taking part in the event, and also appreciated the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, Mr Paul Usoro, SAN, the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly, for the passage of the Trust Fund bill which has been assented to law.

Chairman of the Occasion, Usman B. Alkali, CFR, commended Governor Umo Eno for passionately following through on his vision as contained in the ARISE Agenda, and described him as a rare breed among his colleagues.

He noted that governance is about the people, and that the Governor has demonstrated passion for his people which, according to him, deserves to be studied under the philosophy he coined as “Umo-Eno-ism.”

Alkali, a former Inspector General of Police, who said Security and development are intrinsically intertwined, maintained that the launch of the trust fund has given a practical component to the ARISE Agenda, and called on all stakeholders to key into the initiative.

In his tone setting, the Chairman of the trust fund, Usoro, SAN, said the fund was set up as a public-private partnership arrangement to handle security.

Usoro who noted that security is capital-intensive, called on everyone to show commitment, and also expressed the commitment of members of the committee, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, to successfully drive the initiative.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun PhD, who was represented by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, said the initiative was a pointer to the fact that Akwa Ibom State was proactive in security management, adding that security is not an expense but an investment and pledged his commitment and support to make the State a shining example of a peaceful State in Nigeria.

On his part, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien (rtd), said the State security Management team was excited by the launch of the fund, and stressed that Akwa Ibom has the longest coastline in Nigeria and deserves a great deal of security efforts, as demonstrated by Governor Eno, to maintain peace and security.

Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, appreciated Governor Umo Eno for his consistency and focus on accomplishing all that he had set out to achieve in his agenda including the launch of the State’s Security Trust Fund.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi; Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Rt Hon Udeme Otong; Senators Udoma Udoma, Ekong Sampson, and Aniekan Bassey; as well as captains of industry and major players in the corporate world.