Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has enlisted 2,277 Village Youth Presidents into the state’s security management framework as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots security and promote peaceful coexistence across communities.
Key Highlights
Governor Eno made the announcement during a strategic town hall engagement with Village Youth Presidents held at the Uyo Township Stadium, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property throughout the state.
According to the governor, while his administration has made significant progress in maintaining peace and security, there is a need to deepen the state’s security architecture by integrating local youth leaders who reside within their communities and understand the security dynamics at the grassroots.
“While we have done our utmost to ensure that Akwa Ibom citizens feel safe and live in a peaceful environment, it has become necessary to take additional measures at the local level to widen, deepen, and retool the state’s security architecture,” Eno said.
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He explained that the initiative would enable Village Youth Presidents to work closely with security agencies by providing timely intelligence and supporting efforts aimed at crime prevention and community safety.
“Henceforth, the Village Youth Presidents will form part of our security architecture.
We will provide adequate training after proper profiling, beginning immediately across all local government areas,” he stated.
The governor, however, clarified that the new role does not place the youth leaders above existing traditional or village leadership structures but is designed to complement community governance and security efforts.
He further disclosed that the youth security initiative would operate under the Ibom Community Watch and serve as a bridge between local communities and security agencies to ensure seamless information sharing and rapid response to security concerns.
To ensure effective coordination, Governor Eno directed all local government chairmen to appoint Supervisors for Security in their respective councils to oversee and support the activities of the Village Youth Presidents.
The governor also pledged to equip the youths and facilitate collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and other security agencies.
As part of measures to strengthen security operations, he directed the Commissioner of Police to expand the Quick Response Squad to cover the state’s 10 federal constituencies.
In addition, he donated 10 brand-new Hilux vehicles to the Police Command to enhance patrol operations and improve security coverage across the federal constituencies.
Governor Eno urged the youths to regard their new responsibilities as a call to service and to discharge their duties with patriotism, integrity, and dedication.
He also called on security agencies in the state to provide the necessary training and support to enable the youth leaders become reliable sources of intelligence gathering and effective partners in community policing.
Speaking at the event, the member representing Oron Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development, Hon. Martins Esin, described the governor’s decision as historic and unprecedented, noting that it reflects genuine democratic leadership and confidence in the capacity of young people.
He commended Governor Eno’s investment in youth development through infrastructure projects, empowerment programmes, and other grassroots initiatives.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, also lauded the governor for prioritising security, stressing that community participation and intelligence sharing remain critical components of effective policing.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Internal Security, retired Brigadier-General Koko Essien, described the Village Youth Presidents as suitable partners in community-based security management, while the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerete Ekanem, praised the governor’s youth-focused programmes, including the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom-LED) and the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC).
Speaking on behalf of the Village Youth Presidents, Itai James Abraham of Ikot Ekpene expressed appreciation to the governor for recognising and integrating youths into the state’s governance and security structure.
He assured the governor of the support and cooperation of youths across the state in advancing his administration’s development agenda.
