…as Akwa Ibom Deepens Grassroots Development Drive
…Governor Inaugurates Youth Skills Hub, Health Centre, Infrastructure Projects in Oron
By Julius Nsikak
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has clarified that the newly commissioned Arise Youth Development Centre in Oron is not a venue for drinking, weddings or social ceremonies, but strictly a training hub designed to equip youths with practical skills for self-reliance.
He made the clarification, Tuesday during his visit to Oron Local Government Area, where he commissioned a Model Primary Health Centre, the Youth Development Centre and other infrastructure projects executed as part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration.
The governor explained that the essence of the centre is to redirect the energies of youths towards productivity and innovation.
“This centre is not for parties or social gatherings. It is strictly for training, empowerment and skills acquisition to prepare our youths for the future,” he said..
At the centre of attention was the Model Primary Health Centre Operational Base, which replaces a previously cramped facility operating from a security quarters apartment. For residents, the upgrade brought relief amid longstanding challenges in accessing quality healthcare.
Governor Eno noted that the development reflects his administration’s drive to expand healthcare delivery across the state, adding that 31 similar health centres have already been completed in various communities.
He further explained that the facility is designed for 24-hour service, with residential accommodation for medical personnel to ensure continuous care.
“We are ensuring healthcare is available at all times, especially for mothers, children and emergency cases who should not travel long distances before receiving treatment,” he said.
Health workers and officials who spoke with TheMail described the centre as a comprehensive facility integrating antenatal and postnatal care, immunisation, emergency response, disease surveillance, nutrition support and digital medical records.
“It is also powered by solar energy to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. The facility also includes staff quarters, a youth-friendly section and recreational spaces aimed at enhancing both healthcare delivery and community wellbeing.”
Governor Eno reaffirmed his commitment to delivering all campaign promises before the rollout of the ARISE 2.0 development plan. He also disclosed that preparations are ongoing for the proposed Ibom International Hospital, which he described as a major milestone in the state’s health sector.
Attention then shifted to youth development as the governor commissioned the Arise Youth Skill Centre in Oron, the first of its kind in the state. The centre is designed to decentralise empowerment and bring training closer to communities.
According to him, similar centres will be established across all 31 local government areas.
“Our target is to ensure youths no longer travel to Uyo before accessing empowerment. Every local government will have a functional centre for training and skills acquisition,” he said.
He added that about 100 youths will be selected per training cycle, with projections showing that each local government could empower up to 1,000 youths annually. Collectively, the state targets about 31,000 youths yearly when all centres become operational.
Training will cover ICT, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, agriculture, fashion design, catering and other vocational skills tailored to local needs. Recreational activities such as chess and scrabble will also be introduced to support mental development.
In addition, the governor noted that the centres will run on solar power and be equipped with e-libraries and digital learning tools to ensure uninterrupted training.
Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Ekanem, described the initiative as a transformative investment in young people.
“The Arise Youth Skill Centre is more than a building; it is an ecosystem designed to nurture talent, promote innovation and transform youths from job seekers into job creators,” he said.
He added that each centre contains ICT hubs, creative studios, incubation spaces, enterprise kiosks and recreational facilities. He further noted that social welfare officers will be deployed to provide counselling and address issues such as drug abuse and other social challenges.
However, he stressed that the centres must remain strictly for training and empowerment, warning against their use for social events.
The governor also commissioned a 4.2-kilometre road linking Effiong Essang and Ukpong Streets, an 800-metre drainage system to curb flooding, and a new administrative block for the Oron Local Government Council.
Governor Eno was accompanied by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, members of the State Executive Council, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
