Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has integrated 2,272 village youth presidents across the state into the security architecture and governance structure, as part of measures to strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering and community safety.
Governor Eno, during an engagement with the youth leaders, said the initiative would bridge the gap between communities and security agencies, stressing that village youth presidents, because of their closeness to the people, were better positioned to provide credible information on security issues.
He announced that the youth leaders would serve as security focal points in their communities, warning that the positions would not shield anyone involved in criminal activities.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, described the move as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to youth inclusion and grassroots development.
Dr Ekanem highlighted government’s youth empowerment programmes, including skills training for over 3,000 youths, youth development centres across the 31 local government areas and support initiatives aimed at creating entrepreneurs and employers of labour.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Mr Martins Esin, described the initiative as historic and unprecedented, saying no subnational government had achieved such level of youth integration.
He commended Governor Eno for involving young people in governance, security and development, as well as other youth-focused programmes.
The Paramount Ruler of Abak Local Government Area charged the village youth presidents to uphold responsibility, competence and discipline, stressing that security required credible and committed leadership.
Responding on behalf of the youth leaders, the President of the Akwa Ibom State Forum of Village Youth Presidents, Itai James, described the engagement as historic, pledging the commitment of the 2,272 village youth presidents to support government efforts and contribute to peace and development across the state.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr Baba Azare, described the initiative as a historic milestone, stressing that security requires the active participation of residents.
Mr Azare said the youth presidents would serve as the eyes and ears of security agencies in their communities, providing timely information to prevent crime and enhance public safety.
He announced that the Police, Department of State Services, Armed Forces and other security agencies would train and profile the youth leaders in areas including intelligence gathering, early warning systems, conflict prevention, cyber awareness and emergency response.
The Police Commissioner emphasised that the youth leaders were not being engaged to confront criminals, but to become responsible partners in intelligence gathering and community engagement.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, retired General Koko Essien, said the initiative would create a human intelligence network across Akwa Ibom’s 2,272 gazetted villages.
General Essien said the programme aligns with the principle of “see something, say something”, noting that people living in communities are best positioned to identify and report suspicious activities.
He added that the community intelligence network, combined with the state’s planned Safe City technical surveillance project, would improve security response and position Akwa Ibom as a model for other states.
