The Chairman and Coordinator of the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative, Abuja, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, has approved a strategic partnership and collaboration with Akwa Ibom journalists based in Abuja to strengthen media engagement and promote the achievements of Governor Umo Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okon announced the approval while receiving members of the Akwa Ibom Journalists Forum, Abuja on Thursday, during a courtesy visit led by the Forum’s Chairman, Comrade Dominic Edem, at the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Office in Abuja.
He described the media as a critical partner in shaping public opinion and mobilising support for good governance, urging journalists to professionally highlight the policies, programmes and achievements of Governor Umo Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to him, Governor Umo Eno’s performance in office deserves wider publicity to sustain public confidence and build momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
Okon disclosed that the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative relocated to its new office in Abuja earlier this year and has since intensified mobilisation across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, as well as Rivers, Cross River and Lagos states, to sensitise indigenes on the government’s development agenda.
He stated that the Umo Eno administration remains committed to implementing the ARISE Agenda, which he described as a comprehensive development blueprint centred on agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, security, education and youth empowerment.
Highlighting recent government interventions, Okon commended Governor Eno for increasing bursary payments to students, improving welfare packages for National Youth Service Corps members and unveiling a comprehensive flood and drainage management blueprint to address recurring flooding in the state.
While acknowledging the destruction caused by recent floods, he maintained that although natural disasters cannot be completely prevented, governments have a responsibility to minimise their impact through proactive planning and sustainable infrastructure development.
Okon said the ARISE Agenda complements President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the relationship between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Federal Government as a productive partnership already delivering tangible benefits to the people.
He also urged Akwa Ibom indigenes living outside the state to transfer their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to their respective home constituencies and actively participate in the 2027 general elections in support of the re-election of Governor Umo Eno, President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to him, the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative has begun receiving delegations from states such as Nasarawa seeking collaboration to mobilise grassroots support for the re-election campaigns of President Tinubu, Governor Eno and Senate President Akpabio.
Speaking on the leadership of the Senate President, Okon said experience remains invaluable in governance, adding that Akpabio has demonstrated effective leadership and maintained a strong working relationship with President Tinubu in advancing national development.
He further encouraged the visiting journalists to strengthen their engagement with the Akwa Ibom State Government through the Ministry of Information and other relevant agencies, noting that sustained institutional relationships would create greater opportunities for collaboration.
Okon also commended Governor Eno for supporting the media through the renovation of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) facilities and plans to introduce initiatives that would provide financial support for journalists covering government activities.
He challenged journalists to embrace investigative, balanced and objective reporting by verifying facts and presenting government activities fairly rather than relying solely on social media narratives, stressing that credible journalism remains essential to an informed society.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Journalists Forum, Abuja, Comrade Dominic Edem, thanked Okon for receiving the delegation and described the visit as an opportunity to establish a lasting partnership with the Arise With Renewed Hope Initiative.
Edem appealed for support in four key areas: the provision of office accommodation for the Forum, stronger institutional synergy and partnership, opportunities for journalists to consistently promote Governor Umo Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other Akwa Ibom-related developments, as well as the introduction of regular honoraria for Abuja-based journalists to give them a sense of belonging comparable to their counterparts in Akwa Ibom State.
