Nationwide Protest: Gov. Eno Urges Youths to Maintain Peace 

Ahead of the planned nationwide protest, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged youths and residents of the state to maintain peace to enable the state to achieve its economic development plans as contained in the ARISE Agenda.

Addressing a cross-section of critical stakeholders drawn from youth groups, students, the market association, the NLC and TUC, civil society organisations, and others in Uyo, the governor acknowledged that it is a constitutional right of citizens to assemble and peacefully protest certain acts of government but appealed that the state will benefit more in an atmosphere of peace and tranquilly.

He noted that the state, under his leadership, has made a concerted effort to improve the welfare of Akwa Ibom people through various interventions, especially in the areas of government—labour relations, humanitarian initiatives, youth empowerment schemes, palliative, agriculture, education, healthcare services and other capital projects—and stressed that the state’s status as one of the most peaceful has attracted tourists and investors.

“Let me also emphasise that we are a peaceful state, and we have maintained this hard-won peace over the years. I want to appeal, if at all, you want to participate in the planned protest (since youth from some states have opted out), please do so peacefully. You must ensure that miscreants and hoodlums do not hijack your protest.

“The question, however, remains: Should the protest take place here, given our people-friendly disposition, our deep and abiding concerns for the welfare of our people, the workers in the public service, the care for the poor and the most vulnerable, our intentional concentration of resources on giving hope to the hopeless, and the ARISE Compassionate Homes we have built.

“We have paid over N22 billion in gratuities to retired primary school teachers, local government and state civil service retirees, and N50,000 in stipends to the elderly in our ARISE Elderly Care Initiative.

Related: Sheathe Your Sword: Oku Ibom Ibibio Appeals To Organisers Of Planned Nationwide Protest

“Our free voucher programme through our Bulk Purchase Agency has so far touched 314,422 families in the state; the social transfers to the aged, physically challenged, chronically ill, and widows and has equally impacted and touched over two hundred thousand beneficiaries drawn from the revised Social Register.

“We have also paid a wage award for three months to cushion the effect of the high cost of living arising from the removal of fuel subsidies.

“We paid the 13-month salary tagged ‘Enomber’ last December and, about a month ago, had paid 1.1 billion Naira as a bonus to all public service workers to mark ‘Public Service Week. We have commissioned 236 Grace Estate as a fulfilment of the government’s promise to provide low- to middle-income housing schemes for civil servants. 150 of those units are to be given away for free through a raffle draw after the payment of N50,000 in expression of interest. I am informed that the programme is ongoing.

“We have released the 2023 promotion and increased the pensions of those who retired before 2012. We have approved the release of the outstanding 7.7 percent contribution pension to contributors. The conduct of service-wide examinations in preparation for the 2024 promotions has been approved,” he said.

The governor further enumerated other achievements, including the donation of 36 fully furnished two-bedroom bungalows equipped with solar-powered boreholes and solar electricity and a business support grant of N500,000 to each of the beneficiaries. 164 more such homes are to be completed this second year, and 400 homes are to be completed at the end of the first term.

While enumerating many other strides of the state government, the state chief executive appealed to the youths and all Akwa Ibomites to join hands with the government to further its development initiative for the good of all.

In their separate remarks, the youth groups, students, market association and organised labour commended the governor for his commitment to the people’s welfare and the general development of the state and assured that they were not part of the organisers of the planned protest and will not take part in it.

Read Also: Workers Protest: Governor Eno Approves N1.8B For Gratuities, Leave Grants

Similarly, Mr. Harry Udoh, who represented the CSOs, commended the governor’s efforts at impacting every sector of society through palliative, bursary, skill training and empowerment, prompt payment of salaries, and other entitlements to workers, and appealed for fairness and judicious distribution of palliative.

Also speaking, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President-General of the Akwa Ibom Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk, JP, CFR, acknowledged that the Governor has been very intentional in his development efforts, adding that the protest was not necessary in Akwa Ibom and urging everyone to continue to support him for more dividends of democracy.

On his part, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, said the police and other sister agencies were ready to provide the necessary protection to all, including those who wish to protest, while reeling off conditions they must meet to do so.

He urged everyone to go about their legitimate businesses and to remain peaceful and law-abiding.