Women leaders and community groups in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have praised Governor Umo Eno for what they described as inclusive governance and sustained attention to women focused development. The women also declared support for the second term ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Eno ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement followed a civic outreach in Essien Udim by the Women ARISE Sensitisation Team led by Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi. Addressing residents, Eyakenyi outlined social and economic programmes implemented by the state government, with emphasis on initiatives aimed at women and rural communities. She urged eligible residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards from the Independent National Electoral Commission and to complete enrolment for the National Identification Number, noting that civic participation remains central to democratic governance.
The Deputy Governor also highlighted the role of cooperative societies in the state’s development plans, describing the ARISE Cooperative Scheme as a platform to support small businesses, promote entrepreneurship and widen access to economic opportunities at the community level.
Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Helen Eno Obareki, thanked women in the area for their confidence in the administration and appealed for sustained backing for the ARISE Agenda.
Commissioner for Women Affairs, Inibehe Silas, called on women to increase participation in voter registration and national identity enrolment. She said political engagement by women is essential for long term development and encouraged regular health checks as part of community wellbeing.
Special Adviser on Cooperative and Rural Development, Alice Ekpenyong, urged women to form viable cooperative groups to access government support. She presented cooperative registration forms to local leaders to support mobilisation across wards.
Executive Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, Ntiedo Usoro, described the visit as evidence of the administration’s outreach to local communities and reaffirmed the area’s support for the current leadership at state and federal levels.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of political, community and women groups, including the State Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress, senior government officials and stakeholders, who pledged resources to sustain the civic engagement programme.
Speaking on behalf of the local council, Ofonime Usoro thanked the state government for bringing the sensitisation exercise to Essien Udim and assured wide mobilisation of women in preparation for the 2027 elections.
