…Praise grassroots achievements and reforms in local governance
The College of Local Government Council Secretaries (COLSEC), Class of 2024, Akwa Ibom State, has declared its full support for Governor Pastor Umo Eno’s re-election, applauding his impressive performance, grassroots-oriented projects, and far-reaching reforms in local government administration.
This endorsement was announced during the group’s End-of-Year Summit, hosted by the Uyo Senatorial District at Ceedapeg Hotels, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, on Sunday, 2 November.
The summit featured capacity-building sessions designed to strengthen administrative efficiency and equip council secretaries to provide better support to local government chairmen for effective governance.
Delivering two papers titled “Strategic Administration: The Half-Full and Half-Empty Theory” and “Improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in LGAs: The Role of Council Secretaries”, the Dean of Secretaries and Secretary of Uyo Local Government, Mr Obioabasi Ubongabasii, stressed the critical role of secretaries in guiding local government leadership towards improved revenue generation and sustainable community development.
In a goodwill message, the representative of the ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Udung Uko Local Government, Hon Elder Godwin Okponung, lauded the council secretaries for their commitment to duty and urged them to continue working harmoniously with their chairmen in line with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda. He emphasised that effective collaboration between both parties remains vital to the success of governance at the grassroots level.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, who was the special guest at the event, received a warm welcome from participants. The summit also served as a reception in his honour, in appreciation of Governor Eno’s appointment of one of their own into the State Executive Council.
In his remarks, Dr Ekanem described Governor Eno as a compassionate and visionary leader whose administration has positively impacted every part of the state. He cited notable achievements such as the ARISE Compassionate Homes, provision of standard boreholes, establishment of hospitals and schools, and the construction of rural roads.
Speaking on youth development, he announced that the Governor had approved the establishment of ARISE Youth Friendly Centres in eleven local government areas, with plans to expand the initiative to all thirty-one councils, as part of efforts to promote youth inclusion and empowerment.
The high point of the event came when Pastor Ubong Jonah, Secretary of Ukanafun Local Government, moved a motion for the formal adoption of Governor Umo Eno for a second term, which was immediately seconded by the Secretary of Okobo Local Government. The motion highlighted the Governor’s commitment to local government development, welfare of council secretaries, and the recent salary increase granted to them.
The summit concluded with the presentation of Awards of Excellence to the ALGON Chairman, Dr Uwemedimo E. Udo, and the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, in recognition of their remarkable contributions to grassroots governance and youth empowerment in Akwa Ibom State.
