Governor Umo Eno has continued to place youth development at the centre of his administration’s ARISE Agenda with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Youth Development Centre in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The facility, described as the first of its kind to be completed, is part of a broader plan to establish similar centres across all 31 local government areas of the state. When fully operational, the initiative is expected to equip at least 31,000 youths annually with market-relevant skills in areas such as ICT, fashion and design, catering, entrepreneurship, and other vocational trades.
While inaugurating the centre, Umo Eno emphasised that his administration created a standalone Ministry of Youth Development to give the sector the required attention and priority. He urged the youths to take full advantage of the opportunities provided to enhance their personal growth and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
“When completed in the 31 local government areas, a total of 31,000 youths will be trained annually in different skills, including ICT, fashion and design, catering, and others.”
The Governor noted that the youth-friendly centres, alongside other decentralised projects, are designed to reduce rural-urban migration by creating opportunities at the grassroots level and promoting balanced development across the state.
The establishment of the Youth Development Centre in Oron reflects Umo Eno’s commitment to addressing unemployment and building human capital. The centre is equipped to serve as a comprehensive hub for economic empowerment, offering practical training that aligns with current industry demands.
Umo Eno’s administration believes that investing in the skills and capabilities of young people is fundamental to sustainable development. By decentralising these centres, the government aims to ensure that youths in rural communities are not left behind in the state’s development drive.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Ekanem, commended the Governor for the significant investment, describing the Oron centre as a transformative platform that will change the economic fortunes of thousands of young people.
In the same ceremony, Governor Umo Eno also commissioned several other impactful projects in Oron, including a Model Primary Health Centre, 4.2 kilometres of Effiong Esang and Ukpong Streets with 800 metres of discharge drains, and a new administrative building at the Oron Local Government Council headquarters.
These projects were described as people-centric and aimed at improving the quality of life while tackling long-standing challenges such as erosion and poor infrastructure.
The project commissioning was climaxed at a well-attended endorsement rally held at the Oron Township Stadium, a group known as Friends of Umo Eno in Oro Nation formally endorsed Governor Umo Eno for a second term in office. The people of Oro Nation praised his commitment to transformative projects and pledged their continued support till 2031.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, and other stakeholders also expressed strong confidence in the Governor’s leadership and vision for the state.
Umo Eno thanked the people for their trust and assured them of more developmental initiatives in his second term, saying his focus remains on delivering tangible dividends of democracy to the citizens.
This latest move by the Governor reinforces his reputation as a leader deeply committed to youth development and grassroots empowerment. With a target of skilling 31,000 youths annually, Umo Eno’s administration is setting a benchmark in human capital development that could serve as a model for other states.
As the Youth Development Centres spread across Akwa Ibom, many observers believe the initiative will significantly reduce youth restiveness, boost entrepreneurship, and position the state as a hub for skilled manpower in the region.
