Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has charged student leaders across the State to sustain peace on their campuses, pursue academic excellence and embrace responsible leadership as future stakeholders in the development of the State.
Governor Eno gave the charge during an interactive session with student leaders at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, where he commended them for maintaining peace in their institutions and partnering with government to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the State.
The Governor described students as critical stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom project, noting that leadership positions in tertiary institutions provide young people with practical experience in governance, accountability and responsible decision-making.
He urged the student leaders to combine their leadership responsibilities with academic excellence, assuring that students who distinguish themselves academically would continue to receive recognition and encouragement from his administration.
Governor Eno also announced plans to support a students’ conference that would bring together students, government and corporate organisations to deliberate on employment opportunities, skills development and the transition from school into the labour market.
He said the proposed platform would enable students to engage government constructively and hold public officials accountable, while government would equally have the opportunity to explain its achievements, challenges and plans.
The Governor appealed to the students to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate responsibly in the democratic process, cautioning them against allowing politicians to use them for violence and other negative activities.
He also urged the students and youths generally to project the positive image of Akwa Ibom, stressing that citizens have a collective responsibility to build and promote the State.
Governor Eno commended his Personal Assistant on Students Affairs, Comrade Wisdom Emmanuel, for what he described as productive engagement with the student community, and announced his elevation to Special Assistant on Students Affairs.
The Governor further expressed confidence in the capacity of young people to contribute meaningfully to the electoral process and called for responsible mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh, commended Governor Eno for what he described as impactful investments in education, which he said had strengthened the sector across the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Professor Umoh explained that the student leaders were at Government House, among other reasons, to express their gratitude to the Governor for interventions aimed at reducing the financial burden on students.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerete Ekanem, described the administration’s youth development centres as a futuristic investment designed to equip young people with skills and prepare them for self-reliance after graduation.
In a remark, Comrade Wisdom Emmanuel appreciated Governor Eno for his interventions in the education sector, highlighting increased and consistent bursary payments, the establishment of model schools and the peaceful conduct of the election of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, NAAKISS, Worldwide.
The NAAKISS President, Comrade Torobong Obot, thanked the Governor for what she described as significant financial support to students and efforts to promote quality education in the State.
Leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the 31 Local Government Student Presidents and Students’ Union Government Presidents of tertiary institutions in the State, also commended the administration’s interventions in education.
They cited the remodelling of primary schools, payment of WAEC and NECO examination fees, conversion of the State College of Education to a University of Education, improved bursary payments and other student-support programmes as notable achievements.
The student leaders particularly applauded the increase in the State bursary from ten thousand naira to fifty thousand naira, with higher provisions for professional students, describing the initiative as an incentive for academic excellence.
They also cited the recent release of one hundred and sixty million naira in support of medical students as further evidence of the administration’s investment in human capital development.
The students said the peaceful conduct of the NAAKISS election had strengthened their confidence in the administration and pledged to mobilise students across the 31 Local Government Areas ahead of the 2027 elections.
They disclosed that thousands of students had already obtained their Permanent Voter Cards and promised to intensify sensitisation and mobilisation among young people.
The student leaders subsequently endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno for the 2027 elections.
