05/08/2026
ARC. AYARA JOHNSON HIGHLIGHTS GOVERNOR UMO ENO’S ARISE AGENDA ON AKBC MORNING SHOW, NTIANTIA ASAKKA
Arc. Ayara Johnson, Personal Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Mobilization, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, appeared as a special guest on the AKBC morning programme NTIANTIA ASAKKA, where he spoke extensively on the achievements and impact of the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Arc. Ayara’s appearance followed the widespread attention generated by a video he shared on AYTV Worldwide (Facebook), in which he highlighted 39 completed projects scheduled for commissioning as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom State’s 39th anniversary. He also discussed the ₦31 billion grassroots economic empowerment programme, the ARISE Free Food Programme, youth empowerment initiatives, and several other people-oriented policies of the current administration.
During the live interview, he described Governor Umo Eno as a visionary and compassionate leader whose administration continues to deliver tangible infrastructure and impactful social welfare programmes across the state.
He further revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is expected to inaugurate key projects during the anniversary celebrations. According to him, the projects are part of a total of 39 completed initiatives spanning critical sectors of the state’s economy.
Highlighted projects include:
- New Airport Terminal Building
- Airport Hospital
- Aviation Village
- 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road
- Dualised Ring Road 3
- Command and Control Centre
- AkwaGIS Office Complex
- State Secretariat Annex
- ARISE Palm Resort
- Several other strategic infrastructure projects across the state
Arc. Ayara noted that these projects clearly demonstrate the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, economic expansion, tourism promotion, security enhancement, and improved public service delivery.
Speaking on social intervention programmes, he described the ARISE Free Food Programme as a compassionate initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable families and easing the burden of current economic challenges. He also disclosed that the government has constructed over 400 compassionate homes for widows and other vulnerable citizens without shelter.
On youth development, he highlighted several key initiatives of the administration, including:
- Recruitment of teachers into the state education sector
- Employment of health workers to strengthen healthcare delivery
- Reforms in the health sector
- Specialized skills training for youths, with provision of equipment to support self-reliance
- Payment of ₦50,000 bursary to students in higher institutions
- Payment of ₦20,000 monthly allowance to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Akwa Ibom State
- Extension of the ₦20,000 support to Akwa Ibom indigenes serving in other states
He emphasized that these initiatives have significantly improved the welfare of students and young graduates while creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and professional growth.
On the recently approved ₦31 billion economic empowerment programme, Arc. Ayara explained that the initiative targets youths, women, traders, farmers, artisans, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the 31 local government areas of the state. He noted that the programme is designed to boost entrepreneurship, stimulate local businesses, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve household incomes.
He commended Governor Umo Eno for sustaining a governance approach that prioritizes grassroots development, economic inclusion, rural infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism, and human capital development.
Arc. Ayara also used the platform to call on the people of Akwa Ibom State to continue supporting the ARISE Agenda, stressing that the administration’s policies are already yielding visible and measurable results across communities.
He concluded by assuring citizens of the Governor’s unwavering commitment to delivering more transformative projects and empowerment programmes that will sustain peace, prosperity, and inclusive development in Akwa Ibom State. He further urged youths and community leaders to take ownership of and protect government projects in their localities.
The programme was anchored by Daniel Udoeyo on AKBC.
