Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commended the youths of the State for distancing themselves from the nationwide protest thereby maintaining the peaceful ambience of the state throughout the day.
In reciprocity of the gesture, the Governor disclosed plans by his administration to launch a social welfare programme that will provide monthly support for about 5000 youths in the State.
Governor Eno made the declaration during the August edition of the Monthly Covenant Service, at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, tagged “But They Shall Proceed No Further.”
He said by resisting the temptation to join in the protest, Akwa Ibom youths have averted the much anticipated violent outcomes as reported in some other states, and urged them to maintain their resolve throughout the ten days the protest is scheduled for.
The Governor assured that the planned social programme will be unveiled and possibly launched in October 2024, adding that it will accommodate youths yet to be employed across all local government areas in the state.
“Let me start by thanking Akwa Ibom youths. They have done extremely well. Let these words get to them that I am very proud of them. I am proud of them for keeping Akwa Ibom safe. We celebrate all of our youths wherever they are. They did not protest, not because the Police stopped them, but God spoke to them. I am extremely grateful to our youths for understanding that we can dialogue and get all what we want, and that we can work together as a people.
“We will launch a programme that will support about 5000 youths in Akwa Ibom State monthly. It will go round across the entire local government areas. We should be able to support youths that are not employed to have something that will help them, because they have made us proud. This State has always been the home of peace, and you have kept it so. I am proud of you,” the Governor declared.
Also commending the peaceful conduct of the Ward Congresses across the State over the weekend, the Governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the State, announced the postponement of the Party’s Councillorship primaries earlier scheduled to hold today Friday, August 2, to Saturday August 3, 2024, and Chairmanship primaries to hold on Monday.
The shift, he explained was to enable the party put finishing touches that will ensure internal democracy, as he charged stakeholders and leaders of the party to ensure selection of sellable and credible candidates for the elections, restating the resolve of the State to allow a level playing field for all parties that will participate in the general elections.
Gov. Eno however solicited for inclusion of women in the political exercise and urged female folks to see the need to support their own in their quest to occupy public office and ensure that at least four women emerge as councillorship candidates in each LGA.
The General Secretary, Assemblies of God, Nigeria, Reverend Godwin Amaowoh, who delivered a sermon on the theme of the service, culled from 2 Timothy 3:1-9, urged the people to resist the deterioration of the perilous time, asserting that as Akwa Ibom is a State that looks up to God and is led by a servant of God, the people should thrive on godliness and the spirit of God will place a limitation on ungodly men.
