Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has emphasised that civic responsibility is largely anchored on women’s voting strength, stressing that such strength can only be effectively exercised through the possession of valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Governor Eno made this known during the ongoing Women Sensitisation Tour and Free Health Check programme tagged “Women Arise” held on Thursday at Enwang, the headquarters of Mbo Local Government Area.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor said women occupy a strategic position in the democratic process and must be fully mobilised ahead of future elections.
“Civic responsibility has to do with women’s voting strength, and that is only possible with voter cards,” he stated, adding that the administration recognises and values the role of women in governance and development.
He explained that the tour was not a political campaign but a sensitisation effort aimed at educating women on their civic duties and empowerment opportunities. He described Akwa Ibom as one united family under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Eno expressed appreciation to the women of Mbo for their impressive turnout, noting that their numerical strength remains a decisive factor in electoral outcomes. He urged them to take advantage of the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter registration exercise to obtain or renew their PVCs.
The Governor also highlighted the importance of the National Identification Number (NIN), describing it as a key requirement for accessing government empowerment programmes. He encouraged women to enrol in the state government’s ARISE Cooperative initiative and directed that at least 100 women per ward be registered across the 11 wards in Mbo LGA.
He further appealed to the Chairman of Mbo Local Government Area to sustain support for NIN registration, particularly in the riverine communities, to ensure inclusiveness. The Governor also called for continued support for his administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Mbo LGA, Hon. Sunday Etim, expressed appreciation to the Governor’s team, describing the early turnout of residents as a demonstration of solidarity and support for the state government.
“We are happy to show the Governor that we are with him. Our people came out early to welcome him and we are ready to support him,” he said.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Inibehe Silas, said the Governor had deployed the team to sensitise women on civic responsibility and empowerment opportunities. She urged participants to relay the message to women in the hinterlands, particularly on the need to obtain or renew their voter cards.
Mrs. Silas also disclosed that a medical team had been deployed to provide free health checks for the women and reiterated the importance of NIN registration for accessing empowerment initiatives. She encouraged women to register with the APC both offline and online.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperatives, Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, urged women to take advantage of the ARISE Cooperative to benefit from the administration’s empowerment programmes. She presented cooperative registration forms—one per ward—to the wife of the Council Chairman to support grassroots mobilisation.
In her goodwill message, the Mbo APC Women Leader, Mrs. Nkoyo Isong, pledged continued support for the administration.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Emem Ibanga, stressed that meaningful political participation begins with voter registration and party membership, describing women as critical agents of positive change.
Member representing Oron Federal Constituency, Hon. Martins Esin, called on stakeholders to work collectively towards the re-election of Governor Eno in 2027.
In a show of support, the Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chief Effiong Johnson, donated a brand new bus to the women of Mbo to support their activities.
Other dignitaries present included the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem; Hon. Victor Antai of the NDDC, represented by his wife, Mrs. Edu Antai; Chief Barr. Effiong Abia and spouse; and other aides of the Governor. They commended the Governor for what they described as his commitment to matching words with action.
By Ndifreke Bassey