By Solomon OKPO
Uyo, In a show of support for civic awareness and youth participation in governance, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, has hosted and rewarded the top winners of the recently concluded ARISE Online Quiz Contest, an initiative of CityWatch Newspaper.
The brief but symbolic event, held at the ARISE Conversation House in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, saw the Commissioner, represented by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Udeme Inyang, present cash prizes to the top three winners, while commending the initiative for deepening public understanding of the ARISE Agenda — Governor Umo Eno’s development blueprint.
Rt. Hon. Umanah congratulated the winners for their impressive grasp of the administration’s policies and achievements. He described their performance as a clear testament to a growing civic consciousness among young people in the state, stressing that such engagements are vital in building an informed and active citizenry.
The Commissioner seized the opportunity to reel out some key accomplishments of the Eno-led administration. These included the successful construction of over 200 ARISE Compassionate Homes, with an additional 60 approved, the rollout of Model Primary Schools and Primary Healthcare Centres, as well as the establishment of a dedicated state security agency and ongoing efforts to reposition tourism infrastructure.
While addressing the CityWatch team, the Commissioner applauded their foresight in launching the ARISE Online Quiz, noting that the initiative has significantly raised awareness about the values, objectives, and tangible outcomes of the ARISE Agenda. He encouraged the newspaper to sustain the programme, describing it as an effective civic education tool.
In her remarks, the Lead Facilitator of the quiz, Mrs. Aniebiet Joseph, thanked the Commissioner for the warm reception and support. She described the gesture as evidence of the administration’s genuine interest in citizen engagement and urged the state government to formally adopt the quiz contest as an annual civic enlightenment programme.
The overall winner, Miss Francisca Idiong, in a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to the state government and the organisers. She praised the ARISE Agenda as a people-centric policy framework built on economic growth, social inclusion, and security, which she described as the “administration’s greatest gift to the people.”
The interactive meeting, attended by staff of CityWatch Newspaper, ended on a high note with renewed commitments to strengthening youth inclusion in governance and sustaining the momentum of civic education in Akwa Ibom State.
