Etinan LG chairman lauds Gov Eno for empowering youths through ARISE Youth Centre
The Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon. Uko Umoh, has commended Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to youth empowerment in Etinan, particularly through the ARISE Youth Development Centre sited within the rural community.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Centre on Tuesday, Hon. Umoh described the initiative as a timely and visionary intervention that would ease the burden of addressing youth unemployment and skills acquisition challenges in the area.
He revealed that he had compiled a list of over 345 youths requesting empowerment assistance, a responsibility now significantly relieved by the Governor’s project.
“Your Excellency, you have done so much for Etinan Local Government Area. I used to have a burden that the youths always come to me for empowerment. But today, you have taken that load off me,” Umoh stated.
He commended the decision to site the centre in a rural community rather than in urban areas, noting the state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity it offers youths to gain practical skills and promote entrepreneurship.
The new ARISE Youth Development Centre in Etinan is one of 31 such hubs being established across all local government areas in Akwa Ibom State to ensure that a minimum of 31,000 youths annually gain access to skills training, innovation, and economic participation support.
Equipped with solar power, internet connectivity, and recreational facilities, the centres are packaged to check rural-urban migration by bringing development directly to rural youths.
Represented by Senator Effiong Bob at the inauguration, Governor Eno affirmed that the project was an intentional investment to reposition young people for greater productivity, self-reliance, and economic empowerment.
Other dignitaries, including federal and state lawmakers, traditional rulers, and youth representatives, lauded the Governor’s leadership and the Centre’s potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of Etinan.
Notably, the member representing Etinan federal constituency in the National Assembly, Obong Paul Ekpo, pledged ₦10 million as seed investment for the first group of trainees, highlighting widespread confidence in the initiative.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem, and other stakeholders underscored the ARISE Youth Development Centre as a legacy project poised to nurture talents, reduce unemployment, and sustain peace in the community.
