By Ukpono Ukpong
As governments strive to bridge the urban-rural divide and uplift the lives of those residing in rural areas, the active support and participation of citizens become essential.
While governments play a pivotal role in designing and implementing rural development plans, the active participation and buy-in of citizens are equally essential for the success of these initiatives.
Supporting the government’s rural development plan is a collective responsibility that transcends political affiliations or personal interests.
A critical look into Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno’s roadmap shows the transformative impact of rural development on the livelihoods of residents, showcasing the diverse ways it can bring prosperity to communities.
We will also explore how Rural Development in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda will alleviate residents of Akwa Ibom State from poverty, highlighting the transformative impact it has on individuals, families, and the entire state.
A few days ago, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, in a pump and peagentary event assembled stakeholders from all works of live, devoid of party affiliation and ideological lines at a policy talk-shop tagged “Akwa Ibom Dialogue”, to move the needle of development of the State further.
The high point of the event was the launch of the ARISE Agenda, which captured the governor’s blueprint to develop the state.
Governor Umo Eno’s blueprint focuses on the achievements of eight ambitious but lofty goals through the provision of five group aspirations collectively called the ARISE Agenda.
The ARISE Agenda is a detailed and well -articulated governance document that highlights the economic blueprint of Governor Eno’s administration.
This was further broken down into 17 focal sectors, detailing what the government expects to achieve in each of the sectors, in the short to medium and long terms.
The ARISE Agenda is an acronym that stands for: Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance and Advancement, Security Management, Educational and Health Sector. In the heart of ARISE Agenda lies the rural development carefully positioned.
As Governor Umo Eno-led government of Akwa Ibom State prioritizes rural development, it’s pertinent to note that citizens must play a vital role in the success and sustainability of this initiative so as to foster sustainable development, social cohesion, and improved quality of life for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
While experts have described Governor Eno’s rural development plan as a beacon of hope, illuminating a path toward a brighter and more prosperous future for rural communities. However, this vision can only be fully realized with the enthusiastic backing of its most important stakeholders – the citizens themselves.
This is due to the fact that investing in the government’s rural development plan goes beyond monetary contributions; it requires active participation, support, and a collective commitment to transform rural communities.
As such, citizens and residents alike must actively support these rural development initiatives to foster sustainable development, social cohesion, and improved quality of life.
As earlier highlighted, embracing and engaging with government rural development initiatives is not only a civic duty but also an opportunity to unlock a brighter future for these communities.
The governor in his speech during the launch of ARISE Agenda in Uyo had reiterated his government’s determination to improve the condition of living in the rural areas.
In his words, he said, “We will continue to provide economically viable roads as a means to stimulate the economy of our rural dwellers.
“We will place a deep accent on cottage hospitals, provide more ambulance services, and also continue to maintain the standards of the secondary health care facilities, such as general hospitals which my worthy predecessor invested heavily in.
“We will ignite agricultural revolution in this State, with integrated farms, investment in oil palm plantations; we will construct model primary and secondary schools in each of the three senatorial districts, protect our environment through renewable energy.
“We will equip our people with the necessary skills to be competitive, and plans are in top gear to set up the Ibom Leadership Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom LED).
“We will create a Ministry that will focus on our internal security and we will invest deeply in tourism industry, which today thanks to Ibom Air, has made our State, a destination of choice for Nigerians and other foreigners.”
He also revealed that in the past two months, the government has engaged and played host to several potential investors across sectors who are desirous of investing in Akwa Ibom state.
Many experts have described rural development as a catalyst for positive change, that helps to alleviate residents from the grips of poverty.
By investing in education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and gender equality, rural development initiatives create an enabling environment for residents to thrive, and these are the bedrock of Governor Eno’s development plan.
Governor Umo Eno’s rural development plans stand as beacons of hope, guiding rural communities toward a brighter and more prosperous future. With the ability to stimulate economic growth, strengthen social bonds, preserve the environment, and enhance human well-being, these plans exemplify the transformative potential of strategic governance.
By actively supporting and participating in the implementation of this plan, citizens become the architects of their own destiny, transforming Governor Eno’s vision into a reality that shapes the landscape of rural progress for generations to come.
