POLITICS
Sensitization Tour: Urue Offong Oruko Takes Turn Today
Sensitization Tour: Urue Offong Oruko Takes Turn Today
…As Women Mobilised on Civic Responsibility, APC Support Ahead of 2027
B Lucy Daniel
Women in Akwa Ibom State have been urged to take full ownership of their civic responsibilities, particularly voter registration, political participation and economic cooperation, as the State Government rolled out its Women Sensitization Tour on Civic Responsibilities, tagged “Women ARISE.”
The sensitization programme, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, took place at the Council Hall, Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area, drawing women leaders, stakeholders and community members from across the area.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady Designate, Mrs Helen Eno Obareki, said the tour was aimed at mobilising women to actively support the re-election of candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Mrs Obareki told the gathering that her message was simple and straightforward: to work towards the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, and Senator Godswill Akpabio, alongside other APC candidates.
She conveyed the appreciation of Governor Umo Eno to the people of Urue Offong Oruko for their massive support during the 2023 governorship election, noting that the Governor was aware of the socio-economic challenges confronting the area and had already commenced several developmental interventions in Urue Offong Oruko and the Oro Federal Constituency in general.
According to her, having performed well in 2023, the Governor expects even greater support in 2027 to enable him continue delivering people-oriented projects across the state.
The First Lady Designate also charged women to take advantage of the various economic empowerment programmes under the ARISE Agenda, stressing that women empowerment remains central to family stability and community development. She further urged them to revalidate their APC membership and participate actively in the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, disclosed that the Umo Eno administration was currently executing 11 key projects in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area.
She said the Governor had demonstrated strong commitment to the development of the area and deserved overwhelming support to do more beyond 2027. The Deputy Governor explained that her presence was also to sensitize women on the importance of possessing valid voters’ cards ahead of the 2027 elections.
Senator Eyakenyi noted that INEC was making provisions for new registrations, replacement of lost cards and registration of eligible citizens who had attained the age of 18, urging women to seize the opportunity.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. (Mrs) Inibehe Etukudoh, said the sensitization tour was undertaken by the mandate of Governor Umo Eno to ensure women are adequately informed and empowered to serve as advocates of civic responsibility in their communities.
“By the mandate of His Excellency, we are here to educate you on voter registration so that you will go back to your villages and educate others,” she said.
She emphasized that ownership of voters’ cards remains a powerful tool for inclusive governance, especially as women constitute a significant percentage of the voting population. She also encouraged women to form ARISE Cooperatives, describing them as vehicles for financial inclusion, collective bargaining and access to government empowerment programmes.
The Commissioner further spoke on health education, reminding participants that sound health is essential for productivity and societal contribution.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area, Uno Etim Uno, expressed appreciation to the state government, noting that the women were happy not just because of the visit, but because of the Governor’s visible performance in the area.
He listed several completed and ongoing projects including access roads, health centres, bridges, transformers, solar water projects, renovated halls, teachers’ quarters and other infrastructure interventions.
Goodwill messages were delivered by political appointees and stakeholders including Mrs Mary Abia, Okon Tom Osung, Hon. Precious Selong, Hon. Martins Esin, and the APC Chapter Women Leader, Mrs Affiong Bassey, all of whom pledged total support for Governor Umo Eno’s second-term bid and APC candidates in 2027.
The Women Sensitization Tour is expected to continue across communities in Akwa Ibom State, deepening awareness on civic duties, voter registration, cooperative formation and women’s empowerment, in line with the inclusive governance vision of the ARISE Agenda.
