Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has unveiled his development blueprint for a proposed second term, tagged ARISE 2.0, promising expanded investments, economic growth, tourism development, agricultural transformation, and job creation.
Eno unveiled the blueprint during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing it as a new phase in the state’s development journey.
Speaking under the campaign theme, “We Are Well Able,” drawn from Numbers 13:30, the governor said Akwa Ibom had the capacity to achieve greater milestones and improve the living conditions of its people.
Reflecting on his administration’s performance since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Eno said the ARISE Agenda had laid a solid foundation for development in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, housing, rural development, tourism and youth empowerment.
He explained that ARISE 2.0 would consolidate the achievements of the first phase while shifting the state’s economic focus from infrastructure development towards a more productive economy driven by investment, enterprise and private-sector participation.
On economic growth, the governor pledged to improve the business environment, attract local and foreign investors, support entrepreneurs and expand opportunities for private-sector development.
He identified tourism as another major pillar of the proposed economic transformation, saying the state would leverage its natural attractions, cultural heritage, hospitality, culinary traditions and geographical advantages to become a destination for conferences, entertainment, holidays, sports and cultural festivals.
As part of efforts to modernize the state capital, Eno announced plans to remodel Uyo city centre with an iconic tower, flyover and other facilities, promising a significant transformation of the city’s skyline.
In agriculture, he promised to move the state from subsistence farming to commercial production and agro-industrialization through modern farming methods, farm settlements, increased support for farmers and expanded agro-processing activities.
The governor also pledged sustained investment in roads, electricity, transportation and other public infrastructure, alongside improvements in education, healthcare, technical training and skills acquisition.
On youth development, he said young people would be positioned as active participants and beneficiaries of the emerging economy through entrepreneurship, empowerment and employment opportunities.
He added that social protection programs would remain a priority, particularly for senior citizens, persons living with disabilities and vulnerable households.
Addressing the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, Eno described the project as a critical component of the state’s long-term economic ambition.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting the project, following recent progress in its certification and approval processes.
According to him, the seaport, combined with investments in tourism, agriculture and industrial development, would position Akwa Ibom as a major maritime, logistics, industrial and commercial hub.
Eno described the proposed 2027–2031 tenure as a period of greater development, urging members of the newly inaugurated campaign council to regard their appointments as a responsibility to serve the people.
He charged the council to conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns centred on the administration’s record, policies and people’s welfare rather than personal disagreements.
The governor also called for intensified grassroots mobilization across wards and polling units, stressing that political engagement should go beyond organizing large rallies.
He challenged the campaign council to mobilize at least two million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections while securing support for other APC candidates, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking at the event, Akpabio commended Eno’s leadership, describing him as an “Uncommon Transformer 2.0.”
He urged the governor to remain committed to his people-oriented development agenda and called on Akwa Ibom residents to support continuity, peace and good governance.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Ambassador Assam Assam, SAN, accepted the responsibility on behalf of the council, pledging to ensure a disciplined and issue-based campaign.
Assam said the Eno administration had significant achievements to present to voters, including more than 1,500 kilometres of ongoing and completed road projects, free and compulsory education, the recruitment of over 3,000 teachers, healthcare interventions, agricultural grants, youth entrepreneurship programs and welfare initiatives.
He also highlighted improvements in medical and tourism infrastructure, urging campaign council members to use their personal experiences and the impact of government programs in their communities to communicate the administration’s achievements to voters.
Assam further called for support for the Tinubu administration, citing its ongoing economic and institutional reforms, student loan scheme, healthcare interventions, agricultural support and investments in national infrastructure.
The event featured presentations on the performance of ARISE 1.0 by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Morgan Ekanem, and an assessment of its socioeconomic impact by the State Statistician-General, Uduak Isaac.
