The Akwa Ibom State Government says it has concluded the verification and accreditation of 2,183 village youth presidents from the 2,272 gazetted villages in the state for training by security agencies.
The government added that it was targeting 2,272 youth presidents, saying the verification process for the remaining 89 persons has begun.
The Commissioner for Youths, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, who disclosed this at a ministerial press briefing in Uyo, said the initiative is an attempt to strengthen grassroots security and development across the state.
“In the ministry’s effort towards strengthening grassroots youth structures and supporting their integration into community development and security initiatives; 2,183 village youth presidents so far have been successfully verified for presentation to the security agencies for training. The verifications of the remaining 89 village youth presidents are ongoing,” he said.
The commissioner hinted that the ministry
has organized a stakeholders’ roundtable for the review and validation of the Akwa Ibom State Youth Policy Development Roadmap.
He noted that a comprehensive policy framework for youth development would foster peaceful and visionary leadership among registered youth groups, create job opportunities as well as promote inclusion in government policies and programmes.
He also disclosed that the governor has approved an increment in the monthly allowances of youth corps members from N5,000 to N20,000.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anietie Udofia, said the state government has intensified investments in tourism and its supporting ecosystem as part of Governor Umo Eno’s efforts to position the state as a major tourism destination while creating platforms for business, leisure, entertainment and investment.
Udofia also highlighted the rehabilitation of Ibom Plaza, the ongoing addition of facilities at Unity Park ahead of the 2026 edition of Ibom Christmas Unplugged, the Oron Maritime Infrastructure project and the rehabilitation of the Oron Museum.
