Arise Agenda: Grassroots Rally Supports For Pastor Umo Eno
By Joy Nkeruwem Hanson
In their determination to move more grassroots supports for the success of the Arise Agenda, especially the rural development trajectory of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, a socio-political group of strong grassroots based people staged a solid rally at the weekend in Uyo under the aegis of Grassroots Mass Movement (GMM).
The residents of Dominic Utuk Avenue, Wellington Bassey qand the Uyo Village axis were woken to the frills and thrills of music and sounds by the Unik brothers, as hundreds of GMM members, clad in white t-shirts, face caps and banners, amplifying and re-echoing messages of Governor Umo Eno’s development blueprint such as agriculture for rural development, job creation for rural youths, education development for all in the rural areas, social infrastructure development, such as pipe borne water, in line with the Governor’s creation of a new ministry for water resources.
The solidarity rally which was led by the GMM’s leaders, Comrade Uduak Monday Isaiah and Pastor John Archibong, rallied both the youths and women, admonishing them to re-echo the development master plan of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and continue to recruit more rural area based youths for the Arise Agenda blueprint.
Members of the group which cut across farmers, artisans, business people, students, teachers and civil society leaders exhibited great enthusiasm and satisfaction with the administration tracks of development in less than 100 days of the Governor in office.
Speaking to our correspondent who spotted the rally train moving towards the Government House Gate, many of the members expressed hope in the interest of Pastor Umo Eno to develop the rural areas. Many of them praised the Governor for always caring for the wellbeing of traders, as he oftens stops by the streets to identify with traders and market women, stressing that Umo Eno is really the gift of God for Akwa Ibom people.
In his remarks, President of GMM, Comrade Uduak Monday Isaiah, said that the decision to stage a solidarity rally in support of the good work of Governor Umo Eno which includes the flag-off of construction of access roads around Akpan Andem market, which was one of the campaign promises of the Governor.
He commended the Governor for running an open government and giving listening ears to members of the public, giving them opportunity to participate in governance. Other notable achievements acknowledged by the GMM president were payment of gratuity to retired civil servants, payment of leave grants to workers, approval of imprest to public servants, prompt interventions in various flood and disaster issues brought to the attention of government.
On securing the development projects of Government, Comrade Uduak Monday Isaiah assured the Governor, their members have been advised to serve as watchdogs against vandals of government projects, stating that as people who are yearning for development of the youths and the rural areas, they will mount further sensitization campaigns in communities to discourage vandalization of government properties, violence and crime, while also encouraging youths to embrace the Arise Agenda and be self-employed, as the Governor is already supporting self-employed people.
Commenting also, Pastor John Archibong commended the Governor for groundbreaking achievements so far in office. He stated that GMM members across the rural areas of the State were satisfied with the Arise Agenda development plans for the rural areas. He said the determination of the Governor to bring government to the rural areas is shown in his decision to appoint PAs in each Ward of the state. His words: “We are here to let His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, to know that the rural areas are happy with his programmes for the people.” He explained that GMM, which had mobilized their members during the gubernatorial election to support and vote Pastor Umo Eno, were still very much supportive of the Arise Agenda blueprint.
The Group’s Women leader, Mrs. Victoria Umoren also expressed joy; noting that the inclusion of women in his government with the Deputy Governor being the first elected woman deputy, the appointment of women to man strategic economic development portfolios and ministries have encouraged the women to speak up the Governor’s development policies for rural women.
GMM hopes that by the time the administration of Pastor Umo Eno finishes the first term, the grassroots in Akwa Ibom State would have been transformed.
The rally youths spent hours chanting songs in solidarity to Governor Umo Eno and the Arise Agenda.
