In a major bid to fortify local intelligence and deepen youth participation in governance, Governor Umo Eno has officially unveiled a grassroots security and community engagement initiative, integrating 2,272 Village Youth Presidents across Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking at a strategic meeting with youth leaders drawn from every village in the state, Governor Eno emphasized that security remains a collective responsibility.
He noted that because community members know one another, they serve as the first line of defense in identifying suspicious activities and maintaining peace.
Under this new framework, the youth leaders will act as vital links between local communities, traditional institutions, and formal security agencies to facilitate the flow of actionable intelligence.
However, Governor Eno issued a stern warning against using the positions as a shield for unlawful behavior.
He stressed that the roles demand absolute integrity and patriotism, clarifying that any youth president found engaging in criminal acts would be held fully accountable under the law.
To ensure seamless coordination, the Governor directed all Local Government Chairmen to appoint Security Supervisors in council areas where vacancies still exist.
These supervisors will oversee local security efforts and serve as dedicated liaison officers between the Village Youth Presidents, Community Watch groups, and state security agencies.
Additionally, security agencies have been mandated to develop comprehensive training programs to properly integrate these youth leaders into the state’s broader community security framework.
In tandem with the youth mobilization, the state government announced plans to expand its Quick Response Force to cover all ten federal constituencies for faster emergency response.
Governor Eno also introduced an innovative incentive program to boost local vigilance, declaring an update to the traditional safety slogan: “If you see something, say something and win something.” Under this new system, credible information that leads to the prevention of crime or the apprehension of suspects will be financially or materially rewarded.
The sweeping initiative aligns with the administration’s broader ARISE Agenda and builds upon the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, which was created shortly after Governor Eno took office in May 2023.
Beyond security, the youth leaders were charged with mobilizing residents for civic duties, including the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment from the 2,272 youth presidents to protect public infrastructure and cooperate closely with traditional rulers and local government chairs to safeguard Akwa Ibom State.
