Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has integrated 2,272 village youth presidents into the state’s security management structure as part of measures aimed at strengthening peace, intelligence gathering and community-based security across the state.
The governor announced the initiative during a strategic town hall engagement with village youth presidents, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for residents.
Eno said the decision was necessary to expand and strengthen the state’s existing security framework by involving community-level leaders who understand the realities of their respective areas.
“While we have done our utmost to ensure that Akwa Ibom State citizens feel safe and live in a peaceful environment, it has become necessary to take additional measures at the local level to widen, deepen, and retool the State security architecture.
“This idea therefore, requires that we integrate our village youth presidents who are strong, dynamic, and resident in their various villages, into our security mechanism,” he said.
The governor explained that the inclusion of the youth leaders would improve collaboration between communities and security agencies by providing timely intelligence and local information that could assist in preventing crime.
He announced that the village youth presidents would become part of the state’s security architecture after undergoing profiling and training at the local government level.
“Henceforth, the village youth presidents will now form part of our security architecture. We will provide you with adequate training after your proper profiling starting from tomorrow, in local government basis,” he said.
Eno, however, clarified that the arrangement would not place the youth leaders above existing community leadership structures, but would enable them to support security efforts within their communities.
He directed local government chairmen to appoint security supervisors in their respective areas to coordinate the activities of the youth leaders and provide support for the effective discharge of their responsibilities.
The governor said the new security arrangement would operate under the Ibom Community Watch initiative, aimed at improving communication between residents, the police and other security agencies.
“This move is geared towards ensuring that any noticeable gaps between the Police, the security agencies and the local communities are eliminated, ensuring free flow of information and actionable intelligence between the local communities and the security agencies,” he said.
He charged the village youth presidents to treat the responsibility as a call to service and carry out their duties with patriotism, integrity and dedication.
The governor also urged security agencies in the state to provide the necessary training and support to ensure the youth leaders become effective partners in intelligence gathering and community policing.
In line with the citizen policing approach of “See something, say something,” Eno said credible security information provided by members of the public would attract incentives.
He further directed the State Commissioner of Police to expand the Quick Response Squad to cover the state’s 10 federal constituencies and donated 10 new Hilux vehicles to the police command to improve security operations.
The Member representing Oron Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development, Martins Esin, commended the governor for integrating village youth presidents into the state’s governance and security framework, describing the move as historic.
He praised the governor’s youth-focused programmes and investment in grassroots development.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Baba Muhammad Azare, also commended the initiative, describing community participation, intelligence sharing and collective responsibility as important elements of effective security management.
The Commissioner for Internal Security, Rtd Brig. Gen. Koko Essien, said village youth presidents were suitable for the role because security efforts are largely community-based.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Ekanem, praised the governor’s youth empowerment programmes, including the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom-LED) and the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), saying they had contributed to youth development in the state.
Traditional rulers, local government leaders and other stakeholders also expressed support for the initiative.
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Abak Local Government Area, HRM Akuku Saviour Sylvester Udofia, assured the governor of the support of the traditional institution.
Speaking on behalf of the village youth presidents, Itai James Abraham from Ikot Ekpene thanked Governor Eno for recognising the role of young people in governance and pledged their support towards the success of the initiative.
