RismadarVoice Reporters, June 24, 2026
Akwa Ibom State Government has officially flagged off the ARISE Tech Talent Accelerator Programme in Oron Local Government Area as part of efforts to equip youths with digital skills and prepare them for opportunities in the global technology-driven economy.
The programme was launched at the Oron Youth Development Centre by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who represented Governor Umo Eno at the event.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Senator Eyakenyi described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Akwa Ibom youths and a demonstration of Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to human capital development and youth empowerment.
She noted that the Youth Development Centres established across the state are designed as innovation hubs where young people can acquire digital and entrepreneurial skills needed to compete in today’s technology-driven world.
The Deputy Governor said Oron occupies a unique position in the project, having become the first local government area to provide land for the initiative, complete its Youth Development Centre, and commence training activities.
Senator Eyakenyi disclosed that beneficiaries of the programme would receive world-class training in digital and technology-related skills as well as laptops and other essential tools to support their career development upon graduation.
She urged participants to approach the training with dedication and discipline, expressing confidence that the pioneer trainees would become role models for other youths across the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Ekanem, described the commencement of the programme as the fulfilment of a promise made by Governor Umo Eno during the commissioning of the Oron Youth Development Centre in May this year.
Dr Ekanem said the administration is establishing Youth Development Centres in all 31 local government areas of the state, with each centre expected to train at least one thousand youths annually.
According to him, the initiative is projected to benefit about thirty-one thousand youths every year and over one hundred and fifty-five thousand within five years.
Also speaking, the Rector of the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, Professor Enoidem Udosoro, commended the Governor for extending technology and empowerment programmes to grassroots communities, noting that the initiative would produce innovative and self-reliant youths.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Oron Local Government Area, Chief Asukwo Enweme, described the flag-off as a historic milestone for the area and thanked Governor Umo Eno for selecting Oron as the pioneer beneficiary of the programme.
He assured the state government that the facility would be protected and effectively utilised for the benefit of young people in the area.
The event attracted government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, community stakeholders and the pioneer batch of trainees who will undergo intensive digital skills training under the programme.
The ARISE Tech Talent Accelerator Programme is a key component of the Umo Eno administration’s digital transformation agenda aimed at building a technology-enabled generation with globally competitive skills.
