Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, has commended online publishers for their support of Governor Umo Eno’s administration and the government’s ARISE Agenda, saying that any narrative aimed at promoting good governance and the progress of the state is commendable.
Umanah spoke on Wednesday, March 19th, when he received the leadership of the Conference of Online Publishers (COOPA) in Akwa Ibom State during a courtesy call at his office in Uyo, the state capital.
He described Governor Eno as a digitally-focused leader who has prioritised digital inclusivity in governance, noting the governor’s significant investments in e-governance infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency.
“As a digitally-driven leader, His Excellency has established an ICT framework within the Government House, which has now evolved into a full Ministry of Science and Digital Economy to help navigate the digital components necessary for the growth and stability of e-governance in Akwa Ibom State,” Umanah stated.
He highlighted the recently launched Digital Procurement Portal, which is expected to create numerous opportunities and empower residents, adding that over four hundred job openings for Akwa Ibom citizens, along with potential contractors, will be sourced through this portal.
“We must act as the foremost ambassadors of Akwa Ibom State, ensuring that we promote a positive and truthful narrative about our state to the world to achieve the desired outcomes,” he urged.
“After all, the government has provided us with a lot of topics to discuss. There is no sector in this state that lacks significant developments to highlight.”
Umanah pointed to various achievements of the Governor Eno’s, including infrastructure development, road construction in every local government area, the completion of inherited projects, new initiatives, direct labor projects, and the establishment of model hospitals and schools, all of which, he noted, are unprecedented.
Earlier is his remark, Mr. Utitofon Morgan, Chancellor of COOPA, congratulated Umanah on his appointment and expressed gratitude to Governor Eno for his innovative initiatives, including the creation of several online portals, such as the employment and digital procurement portals, to positively impact the lives of citizens.
Morgan pledged COOPA’s commitment to collaborating with the ministry to foster the development of Akwa Ibom State and promote positive narratives that showcase the state in a favorable light.
“The governor has recorded significant achievements in many areas, particularly in rural development under the ARISE Agenda. We at COOPA want the people of Akwa Ibom to recognise that they have a leader who is focused on a people-centric, bottom-up approach to governance.”
Morgan also informed Commissioner Umanah about COOPA’s upcoming 10th anniversary celebration in November, which he stated would be a national event with international participation.
