By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Akwa Ibom Youth on the platform of Akwa Ibom Youth United, have declared their support for the second term bid of President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, urging other youth nationwide to cue behind.
Stating this at a press conference held over the week in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the youth noted policy gains and governance outcomes at the federal and state levels, saying it has forced down prices of essential goods in the markets.
This position was read by the member representing Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urue Offong Oruko Federal Constituency and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Martin Esin on behalf of the group.
According to Esin, the economic and governance policies implemented under President Tinubu-l4ed administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had led to increased revenues for states and local governments with positive impacts on the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, the group observed that the policy shift had enabled sub-national governments to execute development projects and social investment programmes, while also eliminating fuel scarcity within the past three Christmas seasons.
The youth also commended the leadership of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, saying his role in steering legislative support for executive policies had contributed to the passage and implementation of reforms described as “tough but patriotic.”
At the state level, the statement highlighted what it termed significant infrastructure and social investments under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, including road construction, aviation infrastructure, education, healthcare, pension payments and youth-focused empowerment programmes.
Based on these developments, the group said it believed continuity in leadership at both federal and state levels was necessary to consolidate what it described as landmark achievements.
“We invited you here on behalf of the teeming Akwa Ibom youth to carry out a patriotic act — an act we believe will help reinforce the gains recorded in the past two and a half years and sustain Nigeria’s current trajectory towards an economically viable, well-secured, sustainably prosperous and globally respected nation under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Through the instrumentality of the Renewed Hope Agenda, this is the first administration since 1999 that has demonstrated courage to take very tough decisions in order to set the nation on the path of genuine economic growth and sustainable development as well as implement policies that promote true federalism.
“We are all aware of how successive administrations lamented about fuel subsidy as public revenues were taking an inexorable downturn, development halted across states with most states incapable of meeting basic obligations like payment of salaries to staff and pensions to retirees.
“Today, the story is different. With increased revenue occasioned by the removal of the controversial fuel subsidy, life has returned to the states and local government areas with developmental projects dotting the landscape and social investment programmes beneficial to the youths, children, and the aged implemented at all levels of government.
“Significantly, this is the third consecutive Christmas Nigerians have experienced in the recent history of their nation without fuel scarcity, leading to endless queues at filling stations with corresponding impact on movements as well as prices of goods and services.
The youth of Akwa Ibom State have observed with satisfaction, the leadership acumen, legislative dexterity and performance of His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON in his capacity as President of the Senate.
“It is noteworthy that most of the seemingly tough but unarguably patriotic policies made by the executive arm of government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which are beginning to positively impact Nigeria and Nigerians, required legislative backing to become operational.
“So, it’s impossible to acknowledge the President without doing same for the man who ensures that well-intentioned government policies aren’t scuttled at the National Assembly. Indeed, Senator Godswill Akpabio has shown that he is the right man for the job he is currently doing for Nigeria.
“In Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD is revolutionizing governance through the ARISE Agenda.
“Under his leadership, Akwa Ibom State is an emerging aviation hub in the nation with the strengthening of Ibom Air, completion of the International terminal and other facilities at the Victor Attah International Airport as well as the ongoing construction of Aviation Village.
“In just two and a half years, the administration of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, has completed the construction of nearly 1,000 kms of roads across the state. The impact of this gargantuan effort on youth employment and the economic prosperity of the state can not be quantified.” Akwa Ibom Youth listed among others.
