The Act Of “Arise Agenda”
“Arise for Umo Eno, Sit down for Udom, Clap for Akpabio, No, that shouldn’t be, so that in future we might not raise Boko Haram” – Gov. Umo Eno.
“Arise Agenda” is a reflection of renewed hope for humanity as the simple philosophy for common good of Akwa Ibom citizens in particular and humanity in general, this was highlighted by Governor Umo Eno at the media parley with the journalists during the 36th anniversary of the state in Uyo.
Indeed, taking a crucial look at the act of “Arise Agenda” so many issues involve in “Arise Agenda” were brought forward in salient points by Governor Umo Eno, he presented the practical future and common good of the people in totality and in love.
According to him, “I will ever remain grateful to God who made it possible for me to be where I am today, I am not taking the support of Akwa Ibom people for granted”. He praised his predecessor Udom Emmanuel for standing by him and promised not to disappoint this trust bestow on him as governor.
Gov. Umo Eno injected words of potentials to resonate with citizens and inspire them to create ideal state and the future they so desire as he said to have already secured over 50 hectares of land per LGA and cutting across the 31LGA for agricultural produce.
It would be recalled that Umo Eno creates unthinkable milestones across party lines by advancing the frontiers of leadership for development from the center, within and without as an act of “Arise Agenda” to catapult the positive purpose and to advance the mileage of development in our dear state with the guaranteed of collective prosperity of our people at home and diaspora.
He recounted the experience of his meeting with Akwa Ibom State Citizens abroad when he traveled with president Tinubu for 78 UN General Assembly along side with chambers of commerce where he put Akwa Ibom State first on the world map.
The chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh in his welcome speech called for good working relationship with the government in reportage.
The tone setting by the commissioner of information Comrade Ini Ememobong witnessed his usual good oratory explained, advising the journalists to stay tune by maintaining the perception or notion of which one might think or take Gov. Umo Eno to be by adjustment to either the nature or to nurture the nature or possibly remain “tabula rasa” on which the new impression of whom Gov. Umo Eno is, as it would be written on our minds as the briefing takes place.
The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Amos Etuk in his address appreciated the governor and called for domestication of freedom of information bill and support for NUJ auditorium project.
Briefing at the Media Parley, Umo Eno said: “I am not perfect but don’t compare me with anybody but with Jesus whom we are following as a model for Christian…”. This is more of an existentialist like Gabriel Marcel (1889 – 1973) one of those existentialist philosophers who refused to be called an existentialist, in his popular Essay, L’existentia lisme est un Humanisme, Jean Paul Sartre classifies Gabriel Marcel as a Catholic existentialist while himself (i.e Satre) is an atheistic existentialist. But Gabriel Marcel denies being an existentialist. He is however generally considered as the leading Christian existentialist. Today in 21st century Akwa Ibom State have produced an existentialist politician in the person of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno with wings of a realist, and cognate pragmatist who is sincerely bringing concrete governance to bear with day – today live experience by crossing party lines beyond tribes and religion.
How will “Arise Agenda” work? It will work when all stakeholders unite and work together in concerted effort to archive the effective actualization of the “Arise Agenda”. We cannot destroy the people God has given to us he said; Arise for Umo Eno, sit for Udom and clap for Akpabio would be destructive mindset that must be discouraged, he urged that we must all respect our leaders and work for the success of Akwa Ibom State and her citizens.
He said, When people deliberately tell lies in their reportage about the state and government, it’s the duty of the media to close ranks and call such individual or group to order, that there’s a greater need for positive and constructive criticism with suggestion without insulting our leaders.
Among the things he unveiled and spoke about were: remodeling and rebuilding of primary schools, health-care centers, market along with security personnel across local government areas to provide jobs. Neighborhood / Crowd control watch bill that is before the state assembly for legislation. Putting in place the ministry of security and waterways / purchase of gunboats for security in riverine areas to protect the dwellers and their occupation. Establishment of state bureau of statistics for documentation of appropriate figures and data collection. Establishment of workable management agency. Building of old people’s recreational centers of some kind to alleviate the sufferings of our aged parents.
If one must ask, in the act of “Arise Agenda” when does love Arise? Krishnamurti has this to say: ” Love will Arise in your heart when you have no barrier between yourself and another, when you meet and observe people without judging them…”, it is in view of this that Umo Eno posits: ” money should not be concentrated on one individual to the detriment of 7.9million Akwa Ibom State people he said, “politicians are disturbing that I’ll not go for second term because am not putting monies where they want, maybe am the only one that is different, I prefer one good first term that will empower rural youths, create wealth for the people through entrepreneur rather than useless two terms, but that does not mean that I might not look for second term but let the people decide.
As an existentialist, on the other wings a realist and pragmatist he said; “I cannot put government money in ‘obube’ am told that is what is done in politics, putting the monies anyhow, no! Putting the money in a pit where it will not generate income for the state, no! I will run government business with business practical mindset and entrepreneurship to empower and create wealth for our citizens. Government can provides start up support and enabling environment but not continuous funding of printing press or media station that should be generating income for the state he concluded.
The chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists Akwa Ibom State Council Comrade Amos Etuk led the Akwa Ibom State journalists across boards with head of stations, past chairmen, state working committee SWC and state executive council SEC, directors of information and host of others.
The governor was accompanied by the deputy governor, senator Akon Eyakenyi, secretary to the state government, Prince Enobong Uwa, the commissioner for information Comrade Ini Ememobong, the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh and other state executive members.
